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.
Please contact your doctor or health clinic about any side effect. There is a very small chance (about 0.01%) of an allergic-type reactions to efavirenz (which is one of the meds in Odimune.
i-Base cannot diagnose symptoms. This is something to seek medical advice about.
My first day on Odimune and I am geting an allergic reaction. It is similar to that of a sulphur reaction, which I am allergic to. What should I do with the Odimune?
Any side effect is a reason to call your doctor. i-Base cannot diagnose symptoms or side effects. This link has more information about the type of side effects related to efavirenz.
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Efavirenz is one of the drugs in Odimune (a generic version of Atripla) and so these may get better. But you doctor or health worker needs to know about these problems.
Hi ‘ve jst started using odimune drugs,nd ‘m feeling kinda weird cos i vomit constantly nd go 2 the toilet,feel drowsy, hv headache and sometyms hv a blury vision.am i supposed 2 feel lyk this or is because ‘m pregnant and my cd4 count was above 350.so wht will happen when i stop thm after delivery wll i again feel sick lyk this.
Thanks for your email. These symptoms are not side effects normally associated with Odimune. It’s important that you discuss these with a doctor incase they are a sign of another infection or illness.
ODIMUNE – I had the following side effects: swelling of the genitalia area and bleeding. Is this normal?
Hi Karabo,
It’s best to try and take Tribuss at the same time every day. If you don’t get dizzy from taking it or have any other side effects that affect your ability to work it is fine to take it before your shift. You might want to think about changing to a time that you are awake everyday as it is important to take it at around the same time everyday (it is OK to be 1 hour earlier or later than planned).
What do you mean when you say it makes your stomach feel funny? Do you get diarrhoea or feel bloated, or something else?
I am working night shift(rotational shift) and I take my odimune at 21:00 but it doesn’t cause dizziness, it sometime make my stomach feel funny. What causes that and is it possible when I am on day shift to take it before 21:00 as I sleep early on those days?
Hi Ntokozo,
Odimune is not usually recommended for people who work night shifts. This is because odimune can cause side effects like dizziness which can make it difficult or dangerous to work after taking them. It’s important that you stick to the same time taking your meds everyday. Side effects vary between people though, so it might be possible for you to work a night shift after taking odimune at 9pm. If you do find that you can’t work because of side effects it’s important to talk to your doctor about this as you may need to change to a different treatment.
What can I do if I have to work night shift as I’m used to take my odimune at 21:00