Question
Switching back to Kaletra after efavirenz…
2 July 2009. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Living with HIV long-term, Side effects.
I was taking Kaletra.(2 in the morning and 2 in the evening) + 1 Truvada for approx two years and my condition improved very well and stayed maintained.
My most recent CD4 count was 1116, my viral load was undetectable,.and I was generally feeling very well for a 66 year old man.
At the last meeting with my specialist he decided to change my meds to Atripla (1 per day). I have been on this regimen for six weeks and during this time my feeling of wellbeing has markedly deterioated.
Physically I now feel very tired and I have an overall feelintg of cramps and extreme heaviness which is causing me overall body pain. I have not had any new blood test reading so far as these are not scheduled until 1st week August. However I feel so unwell on the Atripla I have decided to return to the Kaletra/Truvada regimen.
I live in Spain but my Specialist is in England and very dificult to contact.. Would you think is a right decission. Your comments would be much appreciated.
Answer
Hi
In general, anyone who switches treatment after a stable period with an undetectable viral load will not have resistance to those drugs. This means that they can switch back to the original drugs if the new combination turns out not to be so effective or easy to tolerate.
In theory this may be the best thing to do if you cannot see a doctor now, or your HIV doctor for a while.
Even if you can’t visit your doctor, it would be better to contact him or her by phone, email or even letter as all treatment changes should be with your doctors knowledge.
As you have symptoms, you should really see a doctor as we can’t give out individual medical advice, just information.
Blood tests are recommended 2-4 weeks after switching to any new drug in order to check the side effects and how well it is working.
Thank you so much for your prompt reply to my question which gives great confidance if I need help especially as I am living in Spain. Trying to get through to my specialist in England is notoriously difficult even if phoning from England. Nevertheless, I have managed to speak to the specialist and they have promptly agreed that the best thing for me to do is change back immediately to the Kaletra/Truvada regimen. I will discuss the whole matter and get new blood tests when back in UK first week of August and if anything interesting turns up I will let you know so as others may be able to understand this particular aspect of changing medicines.