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
I started taking Tribuss in May,but i always miss the time as instructed by my doctor,what are the disadvantages that i’m putting myself into when forgrtting or missing the dose?if i did miss a dose do i still need to take it any other time?…plz help/advise me!!!
Hi Portia,
I’m sorry but we are not doctors and we can not diagnose symptoms. It’s important to ask your doctor about this so that you can get a proper diagnosis.
hi I’ve developed a lump on my breast and been using tribuss since September. Is that side effects? My breast is also very tender to touch…plz help
Hi Lydia,
A lot of these types of infection improve as your CD4 count increases. It’s important that your doctor is aware of this though so that they can give you any treatment that might be needed.
Hi I have justed treatment 2days ago iam have been suffering from chronic vaginal infection iam on Tribuss wil the infection get better
Hi Paul,
Tribuss is another name for a combination ARV called Atripla. You can read about the side effects and how to take this at this link. TB treatment can interact with this medication and you may need an increased dose of one of the ARVs called efavirenz. Your doctor should monitor to make sure both treatments are working properly.
It’s important to take both of your treatments exactly as your doctor tells you. They both need to be taken every day to be effective. Please contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you don’t know how to take your meds.
I’m currently on TB treatment, initial phase for a month, and my doctor started me on tribuss. How must I take these two and are there any side effects I might experience?
Hi Denzil,
I can’t diagnose the cause for your swollen glands, you should ask your doctor about this. Before taking any medicines you need to check that these don’t have interactions with your ARVs. You can ask your pharmacist to check this, or use the online HIV drug interactions website.
Hi Rebecca
I’ve an ear infection and have developed a swollen gland just below my ear and I’ve been to the EAR Specialist and he suggested that I have an operation whereby he’ll inset a grommet and he put me on antibiotics.Is the swelling of the gland caused by this ear infection or something else? Is it wise for me to use traditional medicines that can assist me with this gland swelling that are sold at pharmacies(eg.Sparksport pharmacy) together with Tribuss? Please advise?
Hi Vulaza,
I hope you are getting on OK with your treatment. To meet other HIV positive people in South Africa you could contact the Treatment Action Campaign.