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.
Hi Im working three shift I have a problem of taking my pili sometimes it early or late it depend on shift i am working.I suppose to take 20h00 daily. It makes me dizzy and drowsy if I take them at work I could not work. 2 my feet are paining and I do not feel them no sexual desire I just sleep sleep I started Odimune two weeks back. Plz Help Dr
Hi Mbally,
Most people have some side effects in the first few weeks of treatment but these usually get better after a month or so. Some people don’t get any side effects, and others can have them for longer. The only way to know how you will react is to start treatment- if you do have difficult side effects then your doctor should be able to help you deal with these.
For more information about side effects and how to take Odimune please see our page about Atripla which is the same treatment with the name used in the UK.
Hi
I would like to know how long does the side effects last if I start taking odimune now? which is the best time to take it? I am sitting @ 305 CD4 count which is why I have to start with the treatment.
Thank you for the best website, keep up the good work.
I am very happy the way odimune boost my CD4 from about 200 to 750. Staying positive and acceptance brings positive results.
Hi
The interrupted sleep and tiredness you feel are likely to be related to efavirenz which is one of the meds in Odimune.
Many people find this gets easier after the first few weeks. If it is too difficult, then speak to your doctor about whether there are alternatives.
It is fine to bring the take forward by an hour, but you don’t want to be taking efavirenz within an hour or two of a high fat meal. Fat increases how the body absorbs efavirenz, and this increases side effects.
Here is more info about efavirenz side effects:
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Here is some info about sleeping better:
http://i-base.info/guides/side/insomnia-disturbed-sleep
I started taking Odimune 3 wks ago. My CD4 was at 380, but i’m always feeling drowsy! I take my medication at 2100 but in the morning i have a heavy head! Sometimes i even have sleepless nights. Should i change to 20.00pm so that i can get enough sleep?
Hi
In general, if your meds say you need to take them once a day, you can chose what time this will be.
Even when some meds say take at night before bedtime, you can chose whether this is 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 pm etc.
Missing doses in not a good idea, but an occasional dose that is missed or late is not likely to cause a problem. If this happens every week though, especially more than once every week or two, then speak to your doctor in case there are things that can help.
Hi
l’d like to know if u miss ur treatment is there a problem? And l’d like to know if I’m taking ma supper @ around 19:30 & take my treatment @ 22:00 is it fine. I’ve been going this for almost a month now doing this….
Hi
These are question that you need to ask your doctor.
Some people start treatment with CD4 counts that are already higher than 500 for many reasons.
Please talk to your doctor about your concerns because your health workers will have the full information about your situation. If you are having trouble with treatment your doctor will want to know these as there might be other options.
can someone start odimune after 3 months of infection with a 550 cd4 count because i have a swollen lymph node for the past 2 months after my diagnosis? or is there any alternative to reduce the lymph node? please help