Question
I take Atripla in the morning – why am I tired?
13 August 2012. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I have been using Atripla and Odimune from April. I was taking Odimune at 09:00 in the morning and changed to 07:00 in the morning since July. Now my immune system is like going down every day and I am always tired. Also my muscles are weak. Is it due to the routine of taking Odimune or should i leave them totally and proceed with Atripla.
Answer
Hello,
Thanks for your question. It’s not clear if you are taking both Odimune and Atripla together, or just using these different versions at different times?
Odimune and Atripla contain the same drugs – efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. Odimune is a generic version of Atripla. They both work in the same way and you should only be taking one of these at any one time. It is safe to switch between versions though, just not to use both.
If you were taking Atripla and have changed to Odimune this shouldn’t have affected your health because these are the same medicines.
You say that your immune system is going down. Do you mean your CD4 count? If you do, what are your last few CD4 count results?
If you are experiencing side effects like feeling tired and weak you might find it better to take Odimune/Atripla at night instead of in the morning. Many people do this because of these side effects. Taking the treatment at night means you are asleep when the drug levels are their highest, meaning you experience fewer side effects.
More information about Atripla/Odimune side effects can be found in our side effects guide.
Hi Khanyie,
It’s not unusual to take all of these medications together. It is fine to take them all but if you are confused about how to take them please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Hi,I’m currently on TB treatment rifafour. My CD4 is currently 249, my doc has put me on odimune & purbac ds. I’m scared of taking all this treatment @once. I’m kind of confused as when to take these without causing complications. Can I take purbac & odimune at the same time?
Hi Themby,
Odimune contains three drugs- efavirenz, tenofovir and emtricitabine. This is just as effective as a treatment combination where three drugs are taken as separate pills. HIV treatment does need to be taken for life. If you stop treatment when your CD4 count is high it will go back down again and you could be at risk of getting ill.
Hi I would lyk to know whether is odimune works exactly as ARVs? Do I have 2 take it for the rest of my life even though my cd4 count is high?, actually I want to know that is there a difference between a person who is taking odimume at night and a person who is taking three tablet at am and pm?
Hi Tete,
No this is not true. Although there are people working to find a cure it is likely that it will be many years before this happens.
Hi since i heard on tv news that hiv cure tables has been found is that true
Hi Pretty,
How long have you been taking odimune? In the UK this combination is not given to people who work shifts. This is because you do not want to be taking it before or during a shift due to the side effects. If you continually change the time that you take your medication then this could lead to resistance. It could also increase side effects because there will be times when you are taking it less than 24 hours apart and so the levels of drug inside your body will be higher than the recommended dose. You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible to change your medications so that they fit in better with you life style. For more information about the importance of adherence please follow this link
Hi,my cd4 was 342,vl of 2000,den put on odimume which was to be taken at night on an empty stomah.my problem is im on nite duty.my supper@9,but at home when im off it at 6:30pm.im confused about the time of when to take my medication
Hi Tumelo,
Not everybody changes treatment. Usually this is because of side effects, or because somebody develops resistance to their treatment. You can read about why people change treatment here.
With effective treatment life expectancy for HIV positive people is almost the same as for people who don’t have HIV.
My question is how long can a person with HIV lives while taking the treatment ? And this change of medication why is it done, why can’t we take one for life time?