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.
Thanks for the answer, I’m not losing weight so much, maybe its because I’m training (gym)
Hi Mpo, this is not likely to be the HIV meds, but please talk to your doctor about your worries. It would be good to measure your hips to see if this is really changing over time. Fat loss is not a common side effect from Odimune but ask your doctor if there are alternative meds your could try.
Im on 2 months treatment using odimune but im loosing wait on my hips and thigh and on my face. it is odimune?
Fat loss is a side effect usually associated with older HIV drugs like d4T and AZT. Odimune contains efavirenz which has been associated with sleep disturbance and depression. But it’s not commonly associated with fat loss.
Are you losing a lot of weight and is it worrying you? You can ask your doctor to try to find out what’s causing it.
Can odimune make the hips to be thin
Hi Lesago, please talk to your doctor or clinic. The clinic need to know how often you vomit and how long afterr taking the meds this happens. There may be other options. Sometimes it helps to take your meds with a little food?
I’ve been taking odimune for two months now..and was also given tb medication which now make me vomit .are these side effects and are they normal?
It’s not likely to be Odimune that’s causing your hot feelings. Odimune contains the same ARVs as Atroiza. It’s just that another manufacturer has made the tablets.
It could be that your clinic has simply changed suppliers, but the three meds in these tablets are exactly the same. They are generic versions of Atripla and contain Efavirenz, Tenofovir DF and FTC.
If the symptoms are continuing you should talk to the doctor about them.
I’ve been on ARVs for almost two years now, I’m doing very well but I’ve always been given atroiza now this month I was given odimune. Its been a week now and suddenly last night after taking it I felt hot from my belly button up to my boobs, so hot and uncomfortable, I still feel it, what does it mean? Or is it some side effect? If yes how long will it last? Thanks
Hi – this sounds like side effect to efavirenz, which is one of the meds in Odimune. Search the i-Base website for “efavirenz side effects” or “Odimune” for more information.