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.
Hi Mpo, I have not heard of a link between any HIV meds and MS. If you have symptoms like tiredness please talk to your doctor incase this is a different side effect or other concern.
Can odimune cause MS
Hi Melody, Atroiza and Odimune both contain the same HIV medicines. These drug s both keep your viral load low. Trixazole is an antibiotic containing two drugs that protect you from other infections. Please ask you doctor to explain what each treatment is for when you next go to the clinic. Vitamin B is used for many reasons but you need to ask your doctor why this is included.
Hie I have taking Atroiza pills for the last 7 months but today went to hospital was given Odimune and Trixazole and vitamin B complex strong tablets. is it going to help my viral load to be low, l am very worried.
Hi Sandy, please contact your doctor if these continue – the side effect usually get easier. Ways to help are included here:
http://i-base.info/qa/12092
I have started using Odimune I week a go but I fill dizzy the whole day. I take a pill at 21:00. Now I’m scared I gona loose my job because of its side effects.
Hi Kaiser
Please see the answer to a new question posted here:
http://i-base.info/qa/12092
Efavirenz is one of the meds in Odimune and could be causing this.
I’m not sleeping at night, does this sleepless have to do with my treatment (Odimune)? Should I changw? plz help
Hi Nkosikho. It is great that you both want to start a family and that you have both been careful with condoms until now. Are you taking HIV treatment?
If yes, do you get viral load results? If viral load is undetectable you can conceive naturally. This involves just no using condoms during the time in the month when your wife is most fertile. If you are not yet on HIV treatment, this is a good time to start. Please talk to your doctor about these plans. Also, there is more information at this link.
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/what-to-do-when-one-partner-is-hiv-positive-and-the-other-is-hiv-negative
The PARTNER study report no HIV transmissions after 58,000 times that people had sex without a condom, so long as viral load was undetectable.
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
I am HIV/AIDS positive and I am married. My spouse is not affected, but I am having two boys with her. But now is not positive and we are using a condom since 2010.I want a child especially a girl now. Please advice me how to get her pregnant?