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 Thabang,
I am sorry you had to wait a few days for a response. It can take up to a week for i-Base to answer questions due to the high volume we receive. Urgent concerns should always be raised with a doctor.
by the way, what im i supposed to do to get an answer here? i posted a comment on the 29th till now no reply?
Hi Tery,
It is very normal to have symptoms like these when starting treatment, and usually these are nothing to worry about. But because you have a low CD4 count, and because you are pregnant, it is important that your doctor know about any symptoms you are experiencing.
If your CD4 count is 32 it is important that you tell your doctor about any symptoms you have after starting treatment. Although all of these symptoms you mention are common during the first few weeks of treatment you do have a risk of developing something called IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) while your CD4 count is this low. IRIS occurs because the immune system quickly becomes stronger and identifies infections that it was previously too weak to fight. While your CD4 count is under 100 it is possible that infections like TB or pneumonia which might be in your body will activate. This is why you should tell the doctor about any symptoms so you can get treatment if you need it.
Hi I am HIV positive my cd4c is 32 I’ve just started odimune 3 days ago and I have cramps in my stomach and I’m pregnant, I have sleepless night, tiredness during the day are those side effect? Help?
Hi Julian,
If you are experiencing chest pains it is important to discuss this with a doctor. This is not a common side effect of odimune.
Odimune can cause a rash, especially in the first few weeks of treatment. It can also cause nausea and tiredness. Most side effects improve after the first month or so but it is important that your doctor is aware of all the symptoms you are experiencing so that you can decide together how to deal with this. Please see our side effects guide for more information and let me know if you have any further questions.
Hi good day,
I im positive for the pass two years. I was using Three tablets a day but then last month I went for a blood test to check my CD4. And the doctor told me yesterday my CD4 is 749. So he started me on Odimune yesterday, and when i woke up this morning I had very bad Chest pains, my feed and hand are itching and burning. My feet feel like there is busy coming out a rash and I am scared cause I only started last night with this new medication and i feel tired and nauseous after drinking this medication. Is there any help?
Hi Doreen,
Advocates at i-Base are not doctors and we do not have any formal medical training. Information provided by i-Base should be used in discussions with your doctor.
Many people do experience a rash when starting treatment with Odimune. Usually this is mild and improves after the first few weeks but in a few situations this can be more serious. It is important to show this rash to your doctor or nurse to decide whether this is anything to be concerned about.
There is a page about rashes in our side effects guide. Please have a look there and let me know if you have any further questions.
Hie doc,am 4 months pregnant,i start taking Odimune tablets my 2weeks ago,my Cd4 count was 580 bt am nw developing rash all over the body starting from my neck.,is it normal docter?
Hi Thabang,
If your doctor has examined the rash and does not think this is something to worry about it is fine to continue taking odimune to see if this improves over time. It is important that the doctor has seen this so that they can decide how severe it is.
Usually side effects from treatment are worst in the first few weeks so if this is mild enough to wait a bit longer it might get better. If you are very worried though it is important to go back to the doctor.
There is information about rashes and advice on how to treat these in our side effects guide.
hi i have been on lamzid and neverapine for the past year and there were no side effects at all, this year in september we decided (with my doctor) to change to odimune and im now experiencing mild rash on the face, it started 2 weeks after using it and its still there, i use acquears cream to wash my face and use cuticura and sun block, but once im exposed to heat it becomes itchy, i have started the gym and i think its covering the whole face now, my biggest worry is, Will it become worse or should i use something? i called my doctor and he said we should wait for about two months and see