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 Xolisile
The best way to show that you care about your grandmother is to talk to her about any concerns you have.
In the UK, someone’s medical health is personal to them, and if your grandmother is able to decide when this is right for her, if at all.
i have a queastion here…my granmother..have a high blood pressure..but at the clinic they gave her odimune treatment..is it for any disease..or is a hiv treatment…please help
Hi Gilly
First point – really important – we are not doctors. This service is run by community advocates.
However, information is based on current treatment guidelines and published evidence. It is intended to be used in discussion with your doctor.
Secondly, and most important for you and your wife, is about side effects. The are to the medicine called efavirenz which is one of three meds in Odimune. In the UK, Odimune is called Atripla (see: http://i-base.info/guides/1561)
Vivid dreams is one of the most disturbing side effects of efavirenz. Luckily, this is often most serious during the first few days or weeks. Many people find the vivid dreams get better. Hallucination is included as a side effect but this might mean your wife is especially sensitive to efavirenz.
Please contact the clinic to explain the symptoms in detail. Perhaps 1 or 2 people in 100 gets side effect s that are so difficult that they switch efavirenz to an alternative HIV drug very early on.
If your wife is still very disturbed or is hallucinating during the day, the clinic needs to know this.
More detailed information on these side effects is here:
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Although this is difficult, these meds – or any alternatives if your wife changes treatment – will not be harming the baby.
Hey doctor, my wife took 0dimune for the first time and she is pregnent. Is it normal for her to halucinate? and is Odimune too strong for her and the baby?
Hi Veema
If you have only recently started HIV treatment this may be something that gets better by itself – or it may be related to something you recently ate.
Any health problem is a reason to speak to your doctor. This is so s/he can decide how serious it is and whether it needs treatment.
I am currently on Odimune, and eczema is slowly fading away, but for the past 3 days, my tummy’s running…
Hi Luvuyo
You need to tell your doctor about this. The doctor can then go through your symptoms and decide what to do.
Eye problems are not commonly reported as a side effect so your doctor needs to check this.
If the prescribed glasses are not right, then speak with the optometrist.
I’ve painful red eyes after I was first given odimune 3 months ago and then given atroiza last month,what shall I do to correct this?I can’t see properly yet I have glasses which were prescribed by the optometrist.
Please help.
That is great to hear!
I’m using odimune now for 6 days and the side effects are decreasing, i think my body is gettig use to the drug, im taking it @ bedtime