Q and A

Question

Can I change from lamzid & aluvia to Atripla?

I was taking aspen lamzid (AZT/3TC) and Aluvia (lopinavir/r),and now it turns out i have to take Atripla (efavirenz, FTC + tenofovir). Is is safe to do so? Won’t my body develop resistance towards the meds?

Answer

Hello,

Thank-you for your email.

To answer your question I would need to know why you are changing medication.

If you are changing because you had virological failure- which means your viral load went up- then there is risk that you have resistance to some HIV medications, which may affect your use of Atripla. This is because resistance to AZT or 3TC can mean you also have resistance to FTC or tenofovir.

If you are changing for another reason, and have no resistance to AZT or 3TC, then it should be OK to switch.

56 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Nonthando, why do you want to change? and what country are you in?

  2. Nothando

    Hi I want to change aluvia anyone who can help me I can’t live like this anymore it been a years now

  3. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Nonthando, how long have you been feeling like this? Have you been vomiting for the 9 years you have been on this treatment?

  4. Nothando

    Hi guys I’m on aluvia for 9 years these pills were not good I’m suffering from vomiting I’m so tired n I decided to stop taking my pills… anyone who can help me I want to change them

  5. Josh Peasegood

    Hi, yes this is a possible switch. Did you start on Alluvia? Switching to dolutegravir from Alluvia is common. This is because Alluvia is a boosted combination and is less well tolerated by people than a dolutegravir based regimen.

  6. SIFISO

    Can a patient be switched from alluvia to dolutagravir

  7. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Angie, how are you doing? Where are you based? Many countries like South Africa are switching to dolutegravir based combinations. Often, when established on ART doctors do not consider switching peoples medications. Have you told your doctor about your current side effects?

  8. Angie

    Hi, I have been on aluvia and lamzid aspen for eleven years though they have been giving me side effects like severe headache ,nausea and vomiting as well as weight loss for all this years. I m currently four weeks pregnant. Can i switch to dolutergravir

  9. Josh Peasegood

    Hi Nkateko, I am sorry to hear that you have had these body fat changes. Getting your body back to what it was can be difficult but there are things you can try. Often an approach using a few different methods is seen to be effective, inc. diet, medication (fat changes, or HIV medication) and/or surgery. This is a link to a guide that will be able to explain this: https://i-base.info/guides/side/fat-accumulation

  10. Nkateko

    Hi I’m on aluvia for 7 years my problem is that I gain weight more specially my breast and my tummy and before I was flat, can I change it to something else. Or what can I do to have my weight back to normal

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