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 Zee,
You’ll be fine, missing one dose of odimune won’t cause you any problems. For more info please see Q4 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I have been on odimune for almost 3 months now and I forgot to take a pill last night, how will this affect me?
Hi Kenny,
How much weight have you put on, and over what time frame? Herbex make a lot of products, which one is it that you’re thinking of taking?
I’ve gained so much weight, actaully I’m overweight. I’m on odimune. I exercise a lot and have cut down on oily stuff and starch but still no change. Is it safe to use herbex while on odimune? Will it not make odimune stop working?
Hi Kenny,
This is great news. It means that the odimune is working and working really well.
With regards to your VL being undetectable within 5 months, this is normal and is what’s supposed to happen. For more about VL’s please see here:
http://i-base.info/qa/4669
Basically you’re doing amazing. Keep it up!
My CD4 count jumped from 36 to 336 within five months of taking odimune is this normal? My viral load went don’t from 11 000 to undetectable within the same period, even my doctor was surprised.
Hi Zee,
Side effects like feeling dizzy usually go within a few weeks. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi I have just started using atroiza on the 11 of this month so far I am experiencing mild dizziness ,how long does it take for the dizziness to stop?
Hi Abel,
Tenofovir is an active drug in odimune. Prior to being given odimune what else were you taking? If it was just the one pill, what was it called? I’m asking as its highly likely that you’ve just switched between generic versions of Atripla (Of which odimune is one version). If this is the case then the swollen ankles shouldn’t be due to the switch.
I was on tenofovir drug for a month. I was then given odumine. I started having swollen ankles after a week of taking the drug, should I be worried?