Question
How soon can I eat after taking Odimune?
21 August 2012. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I hear you say its advisable to take odimune (efavrienz+ FTC+ tenofovir) at bed time and its only taken on empty stomach, how long exactly should i stay away from food before taking it? The reason i am asking this is I can not starve the whole day before taking the tablet.
Answer
Saying that Odimune needs to be taken on an ’empty stomach’ doesn’t mean you need to starve yourself. It is fine to eat something before or when you take this, but you have to be careful to make sure this is not a high fat meal.
A high fat meal will increase levels of efavirenz and so you may get more side effects (mood changes, anxiety, disorientation or interrupted sleep etc). Food low in fat or with just a little fat, will be fine.
More about this is explained in this question: What happens if don’t take Atripla on an empty stomach?
Odimune is a generic version of Atripla which includes the same meds but is just made by a different company.
It’s good that you haven’t had any side effects and you won’t necessarily get any in the future. It’s normal to gain weight when you start treatment.
Hi I normally take 0dimume at anytime before I sleep and I eat normal coarse food before I take it but I have not experience any side effect with it n I have gain weight after using odimune is this maybe will have some side effect in future?
Hi Sisimogang,
In the UK Odimune wouldn’t be recommended for people working shift work because of this problem. It’s important to talk to your doctor about this. S/he may be able to suggest either a different treatment or a way to get around this problem. It may be possible to change how you take your meds on your day off. Please see this previous question for more information.
I work only night shift so when I knock off I take my odimune and sleep. But I’m worried on saturday and sunday cos I’m not working so after I take it I feel dizzy. I have been taking it for 2 months.
Congratulations on your very strong response to treatment! It’s important to talk to your doctor about these warts so that s/he can check what’s causing them.
Hi, I’ve been on odimune for about 5 months and my viral load went from 50k to undetectable; CD4 count from 200 to 414. But now all of a sudden I have warts all over, I’m worried. Shouldn’t I be even better than I was before starting. I’m really depressed
Hi Purity, please see our pregnancy FAQs, and let me know if you have any questions!
If using odimune and u want child how dangerous is it? And what does your CD4 count need to be?
Hi Nicholas,
It’s great to hear that you are so supportive of your wife. It’s great that she’s on treatment. Odimune is very effective and she should start to feel better soon. She should start to feel stronger, and to gain weight, during the first few months of treatment. Her appetite is likely to come back too. Immune booster’s don’t fight HIV and there is no reason for your wife to be taking them. Do you know what her CD4 count is?
Hi there!
My wife has just started ODIMUNE two days ago and I want to support her all the way.So far I havent seen any side effects on her,but is it fine to take immune boosters whilst on this treatment?I would also like to support her gain some weight as she has lost about 7kilograms before starting ODIMUNE.Sometimes she doesnt want to eat and I get upset,is there anything you can suggest to take for appetite and weight gain?
Thanks