Question
What is my chance to reverse lipo?
29 May 2009. Related: All topics, Side effects.
Hello! I`ve got lipodystrophy. What chances do I have to get my fat back at a combination truvada+kaletra? One year ago I was switched from Zerit to Truvada. Thank you for the answer!
Answer
Firstly, I have to say that I am a bit shocked that only a year ago somebody with lipodystrophy in the UK will be kept on Zerit. It has been known for years now that this is one of the worst medicine to provoke lipodystrophy.
Having said that, I do not exclude the chance that some people come from other countries with a certain combination that may have been switched here. Please let me know whether this is the case.
Switching d4T (Zerit) or AZT to either abacavir or tenofovir, or using other combinations of drugs, can reverse the fat lost in limbs. Reversing fat loss from the fat or buttocks appears to be more difficult, but this may be possible if you switch treatment at the first symptoms.
There may be a risk of viral load rebounding if you have resistance to other HIV drugs. Otherwise, switching is very safe.
Any reversal of the fat loss is likely to take at least six months to become noticeable. These symptoms developed slowly and if they are going to reverse this will also take time.
In studies where people switched to abacavir, the return of small amounts of leg fat (+ 0.3kg) was detected by scans at 6 months. It took about two years (+1.3kg) before these patients noticed a difference themselves.
There is more information here.
Hi Zam,
What does your doctor say about this? Some early HIV meds are linked to facial lipoatrophy. But modern HIV meds are not noted for this side effect.
What ARVs are you taking? And do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load? Please let us know.
Here’s the guide to lipoatrophy. You can talk to the doctor about switching treatment if you’re takeing any of these meds.
Since 2004 I started ARVs, now i’m suffering from facial lipoatrophy. What can help me i’m so stressed i’vs lost my self esteem.I just hate my self.Even my legs and buttocks are so small.
Hi Tsepo,
Do you mean your skin is looking different? Please let us know what it is exactly.
What ARVs are you taking, and do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know.
Hi,
I’m 2 years in ARV, my face skin on checks and under my eyes have double completions. How’s is can I treat it and what’s the cause
Hi Jully,
Is there any reason why you’re taking ATZ and not other medication? A change in medication could help this.
Hey, am using AZT for 9 years now and have gained weight on my stomach and lost weight on my arms and legs… What can i do.. From Kenya
Hi Zama,
Fat loss is no longer reported with modern HIV treatment. This is a side affect that was associated with the older HIV drugs d4T and AZT.
However, fat loss can possibly be linked to efavirenz which is the main drug in Atroiza. So it sounds like a good idea to try switching from efavirenz to Edurant (rilpivirine).
You can read more about fat loss (lipoatrophy) here.
The gym sounds like agreat idea. Both the gym and this guide to a balanced diet and your health might help you to gain weight.
i have been using Atroiza for the past 4 years i started noticing fat loss on my arms, face and fat gain on breast and stomach area.
i spoke to my dr and he recommended the gym. I have been to the gym but I lost some weight but I lose more on my arms.
my second dr recommended changing my medication to Truvada and Edurant. can this medication reverse fat loss? especially my arms. zama from south africa
Hi Francoise,
What medication are you taking? How long have you been on it for?
I do not have fat loss in the legs or buttocks my fat loss is in the face, arms and torso! What medication would help reverse it?