Question
Questions about Tribuss
6 March 2013. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I was diagnosed with HIV in January 2013 during regular HIV testing. My CD4 count was 91 and my GP put me straight on Tribuss.
I’ve never been sick of any illness since July 2012. I’d like to know about Tribuss. What do I do if I forgot to take the pill and remember only the next day?
I have also been given Trixazole (Bactrim). Should I take the pill as well?
And what mult-vitamins will be good for me?
Answer
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis but I’m glad to hear how well you are feeling. Do you have any support to deal with finding out you have HIV?
Tribuss is a combination pill which contains three antiretrovirals (ARVs). These are efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. This is a very widely used combination for treating HIV. Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. Other generic versions include Trustiva, Tribuss or Odimune. You can read general information about this drug on our HIV meds page.
If you realise you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. BUT, if you only realise when you’re going to take your next dose, do not take a double dose.
Bactrim/Trixazole are antibiotics which your doctor has given to make it less likely that you will get ill with infections like pneumonia. These are recommended for anybody with a CD4 under 200 and it’s important that you keep taking these. In some countries it is recommended to continue taking these antibiotics as long as your CD4 count is still below 350.
Multi-vitamins don’t treat HIV. Unless you have a vitamin deficiency there is unlikely to be any benefit from taking a multivitamin and they are essentially a waste of money. You are better off spending your money on a healthy diet which will do more to keep your body strong than a multivitamin.
Hi, I am from South Africa.
About two weeks back I was tested for HIV and was found Positive. The clinic that I attend placed me on a drug which was commonly known by me as “the big Pink Pill” / D100.
I am also on a very high dose of Bactrim tablets which I need to take 4 times a day.
I read some of the comments and suddenly I was so glad to hear that the drug has a name called Tribuss, which I hope and assume is right. This drug has only one small side effect to me. I feel that my tongue gets numb and that an”oil-base” taste stays during the day in my mouth.
As for the multi vitamins they prescribed, I am eating my poor mother out of the house.
With all the intake of food and the right use of the medication I feel very good, but I don’t seems to put on any weight.
Hi Thembi
I have not heard of red lips as a side effects from the meds in Tribuss.
This is something that you need to ask your doctor about, as they will be able to see your symptoms.
hi
I was diagnosed with hiv in 2012 and im on tribuss,my question is what causes the lips to turn red and how do i get rid of this mouth condition
Hi Mokgaetsi
General advice for good health is important for HIV positive people, just like everyone else. This includes eating a balanced diet, keeping physically and mentally active, reducing stress, not smoking etc.
Although these are good, they won’t directly help with the CD4 count. The only way to increase the CD4 count is to start ARVs when these are needed. The only way to stop the CD4 count getting lower, would be to start HIV meds a bit earlier.
In the UK, treatment is not recommended until the CD4 count is around 350. Although some people use treatment much earlier, there is not good evidence to know whether or not this is better in the long-term.
Hi,i just find out recently that i’m HIV positive CD4 947 so what i want 2know is that what can i do 2keep my CD4 this way 4 a very long time?
Hi Pumza
This depends on which ARVs are in your combination.
Most ARVs are fine. The exception is efavirenz.
People who do shift work often use a different drug to efavirenz. This is because you need to take it before you go to sleep so that you are sleeping during the side effects.
If shift work means you often chance between day and night shifts, then another med may be better.
If you always work nights though, you would tkae you meds just before you go to sleep, even if this is the day time for most people.
Is it ok to take Arv’s when I am doing night shift?
I I’d just find out my boyfriend is taking D100 tablet when I was cleaning his room ,I Google it n find out it is hiv tablet ,I don’t know how to confront him with this .please help.
Hi Nauria
Someone’s health is a private matter. I don’t know about D100 or what it is used for. Some people take HIV meds to prevent catching HIV. Trying to get him to talk may help.
Hi Zee
Please don’t worry about when you took meds with food. This is actually okay to do so long as you avoid doing this if the meal has a high fat content.
The caution is that fat increases levels of efavirenz which can make you have side effects like mood changes. It is better to take your meds in the last hour or two before going to bed, so taking them later rather than earlier would be better.
You HIV doctor is the best person to ask about the rash. If this is worrying you or is getting wore, it is important to show this to a doctor or nurse.