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 Thando,
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Your doctor’s have given you nucotrim to help prevent you getting infections. It is OK to take it for as long as the doctors said to.
Hi,
The side effects of Tribuss are usually associated with efavirenz. Efavirenz is one of the three medication in Atroiza. These can often include difficulty sleeping and mood changes.
It is usually recommended that you take Tribuss before you go to sleep. This is because you will be sleeping when drug levels are highest and side effects are likely to occur. It is also recommended that you take Tribuss either on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal. This is because a high fat meal can increase drug levels and side effects.
You can find more information about Tribuss here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
I was diagnosed HIV+ 2012 October and then my CD4 was 285 my doctor decided that i should be on treatment, but i was reluctant. In December 2013 i got sick with shingles. This year i decided to start treatment . I’ve started Tribuss. What are the side effects?
Hi,
It’s great to hear that you are doing well!
I’m HIV positive, I tested when i was pregnant in 2009 after that i started protecting my child from HIV and now my child is negative. I also started using ARVs last year June i’ve never felt sick I’m strong and healthy. I use condoms with my husband.
Hi Sipho,
It is important for the person you are talking about to be on treatment. Treatment is the only thing that can control HIV. If she is not on treatment her CD4 count will drop. CD4 shows how your immune system is doing. If this happens she will be at risk of opportunistic infections and become more ill.
She could ask her clinic or doctor if there are other HIV meds available that she can change to. If there are not there might be other meds that she can take along with her Tribuss that help with her side effects.
You can find more information about Tribuss here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi
She’s taking tribuss and she said that tribuss are not making her feel well. She decided that she would no longer taking. What effect will his have? She said they are making her stomach painfull. What must she do?
Hi,
It’s great to hear that you are not having any problems with your treatment. I am afraid i can’t answer your question without knowing where you are from. You could try using google to search for pharmacies where you can buy the medication.
I don’t have any problems since taking Tribuss.
I want to know how much it cost. I want to buy it
for myself because patients are not treated with respect
in the clinics.
Hi Nancy,
The symptoms you describe do not sound like side effects that are usually associated with Tribuss. This does not mean that they aren’t though. You should tell you doctor of clinic about them and they can help you work out if your symptoms are caused by your HIV meds or by something else.
15 to 30 minutes difference is unlikely to affect how well Tribuss works. While it is important to take your meds as close to the same time as possible it is ok to miss this by a few minutes. Missing doses has a much greater risk of affecting the way meds work.
You can find more information about Tribuss here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
And more information about adherence (taking your meds when you are supposed too) here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting/adherence