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,
Odimune is a widely used and very effective medication. It does contain a medication very similar to lamivudine called emtricitabine or FTC. The med should work well and you CD4 count should slowly rise.
It is difficult to guess people’s life expectancy. This is because HIV behaves differently in different people. Life expectancy is also affected by many things that have nothing to do with HIV. What i can say is that people with HIV on treatment, like you, have a good chance of living long and comparatively healthy lives, including into old age.
I have started odimune but the content of this medication does not have Lamavodine .will it not affect my CD4 count? What is my life expectence will i grow old with HIV.?
Hi,
Odimune, Atroiza and Tribuss are all generic versions (copies) of a pill called Atripla. They all contain the same medications and work in the same way. They only have different names because they are made by different companies.
You can find more information here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
They are giving me a defferent prescription in every month, all I want to no is “it wont affect me in a future” its Odimune,Atroiza nd Tribuss? Plzz help
Hi,
You should talk to your clinic or doctor about your symptoms. If they are connected to your meds they can let you know if there is alternative medication available.
Hi since I started Odimune my body has been itching. Please help.
Hi,
Your fiance should talk to her clinic and let them know about her symptoms. They can help her work out what is causing them. If it is the Odimune they can tell her if there are other meds available.
My fiance recently started Odimune, she was taking ARV’s for the past 7 years.
It is almost a month she started with ODIMUNE she takes it at 9pm, she is always complaining about dizziness and painful legs.
What could be the problem and what must we do because it is hurting me very much.
Hi Kingleys, you need to talk to your doctor about this. Odimune is only used to treat HIV.
Why if Odimune is for HIV did my doctor give it to my for my high blood pleasure medication? please can someone help me here.