Question
Can I take Tribuss with food?
5 July 2012. Related: All topics, Side effects, South Africa, Starting treatment.
Hi! I am 35 years and started taking my tribuss pill in February 2012. My problem is that I cant take the pill on an empty stomach. Can this make the pill to disfunction?
Answer
Hi,
Thank-you for your question.
Tribuss is a generic combination treatment which contains three HIV drugs. These are efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. In the UK, this combination in a single pill is called Atripla.
Tribuss is usually recommended to be taken on an empty stomach is to reduce side effects. This is up to 60% more efavirenz is absorbed if it is taken with a high fat meal.
This would mean there is more efavirenz than you need and you may be more likely to get side effects. Side effects from efavirenz include dizziness, mood changes and sleep disturbance. Please follow this link for more information about efavirenz side effects.
However, the increased levels of efavirenz are connected to a high fat meal.
If you prefer to take Tribuss with some food this is fine, just not with fatty foods.
Please let me know if you have any more questions!
Hi Mary,
Have you become depressed since starting Tribuss? One of the drugs in Tribuss, called efavirenz, can cause depression. Usually changing to a different treatment will improve this if the depression is a side effect of treatment. Please see our side effects guide for more information.
If you tell me the name of the antidepressant you are using I can check if there are any interactions with Tribuss. Alternatively your pharmacist should be able to check this for you.
Hi I’ve been on tribuss for seven months and now I’m on treatment for depression for a week,I have lost weight,will the atidepressant have a negative effect on my treatment
Hi Nompumelelo,
These symptoms sound like something called lipodystrophy. This is generally unusual with Tribuss- although it is possible these are connected. Have you used any other ARVs in the past? If you have, when did you change to Tribuss? Can you also tell me if you are using any other medications?
have been on ARV’s for the past six years,the hump in my neck is worrying me,excess fat around the waist and arms, legs getting thinner, what can someone do to minimize these side effects as they are decreasing my self esteem. i am a professional woman.i am currently using tribuss
Hi Buyiswa,
Warts can be caused by an STI, and not HIV, and these are usually treatable. It’s important to show these to your doctor to get the appropriate treatment.
Hi I am taking Tribuss for six months now, my problem is the warts in my private part is there a cure for this?
Hi again Jack,
How are you?
Centrum is a multivitamin, and does not have any effect on HIV treatment. Unless you have a vitamin deficiency there is unlikely to be any benefit from taking this- and there will be no harm from missing a few doses.
Being late once with Tribuss is very unlikely to cause any problems. Please see this page about adherence for more information.
Hi, i am on tribuss and centrum, missing few doses of centrum will it make any effect? And taking tribuss around 4:30 am once will it make any effect
hi thanks for de respond. im much better now n gone back to work. my kidneys levels a well correct jst have to monitor every 6 week.. thanx again
Hi Anele,
If you have a gynocologist then you can go to this doctor about this, otherwise a sexual health clinic or GP should be able to look at this to start with and refer you further if needed. Your husband should also get checked out if he has any symptoms, or if you are diagnosed with any STI.
I’m very pleased to hear that your baby is happy and healthy! And what baby isn’t a bit naughty!?