Question
What should I expect from starting Odimune?
30 October 2012. Related: All topics, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I have been positive for 14 years without any complications, nothing.
A few months ago, I had some tingling started around my eyes and then a rash (not severe).
I decided it was time for treatment, visited the doctor, did the necessary tests (CD4 = 247) and (viral load = 12,000 copies).
Treatment regime = Odimune.
I researched this and am scared. Please explains what happens from here on with regards to HIV progression to AIDS, and what does odimune exactly do? Apart from the doc explains?
Answer
Odimune contains three HIV medications – efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. It is a generic version of Atripla. This link has more information about this combination.
This is a very effective treatment combination that is very widely used. It is recommended in many countries including the UK, USA and South Africa for first line treatment.
Although it’s normal to be concerned when starting treatment this is the only way to stay well in the long term. When you start treatment your viral load will go down very quickly. Your CD4 count will increase over time.
Without treatment your body is vulnerable to infections, and eventually to AIDS progression. But by starting treatment your immune system will get stronger. With treatment the life expectancy for people with HIV is about the same as for HIV negative people.
For more information about starting treatment please see our Introduction to combination therapy guide.
I just started using odimune, I feel dizzy n my body is painful, what might be the cause?
Please tell your clinic about the rash so they can decide if it is serious or related to treatment.
I have started whith the treatment a month ago and now im developing a itchy rash
If you have been fine for 7 months this is unlikey to be a reaction to Odimune. It is more likely to be something else.
I have seven months started odimune treatment but everyday I vomits, what makes that?
Hi Nonku
Please talk to your doctor. If your meds include efavirenz, these feeling can be a side effect. Your doctor should be able to change them if the side effects are too bad.
I just have 1 month on treatment, is it normal what is happening. I always feel hungry and I sometimes feel powerless, should I worry?
Odimune contains a drug called efavirenz. This can sometimes be associated with liver toxicity or damage.
It’s important that you talk to your doctor about why this is happening, and find out why you haven’t been given other treatment.
Contacting TAC might help. TAC stand for the Treatment Action Campaign. This is the largest HIV positive support organisation in South Africa and they were responsible for the drive to get ARVs available in SA.
The main office is in Cape Town, but there are support groups and branches across the country, including in Jo’burg.
http://www.tac.org.za/contact
Hi, My Dr suggested that I stopped with the treatment of Odimune because it attacks my liver and recommend other treatment, now I will have to wait for three weeks I’m not in danger for not taking treatment.
It sounds like a mild side effect, and these are more common when you first start treatment. But you should ask your doctor to have a look at it. Mild side effects are usually easy to manage and improve within the first few weeks. If side effects are difficult or do not improve, you can change to other drugs.
You can find more information about starting HIV treatment here:
http://i-base.info/just-found-out/