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.
Hello I have been taking tribuss for more that a year now and I am also on Warfarrin for almost 4years, my problem is that recently I have been suffering from cramps more especially at night and this only affect my hands and even though I have stopped menstruating it will take a whole week for me to be clean, that means my pant liners will have not a thick discharge but some watery thing that is also reddish. Can this be a cause of warfarin or tribuss I am in my early 50s.
Hi, yes, Tribuss includes a medicine called efavirez. More info on these side effects is here:
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Hi my doctor recently started me on tribuss and I get this headache dizziness and heartburn is that normal to get those
Hi, We are not doctors, but we give HIV treatment information for people who are HIV positive. Trixazole is an antibiotic and is used to treat bacterial infections. But it’s a good idea to ask your doctor why you’ve been given this drug, it’s especially important to know this while you’re pregnant.
Doctor! I was given Trixazole and I am 3 months pregnant, is that an indication that I am HIV positive, or is trixazole also treat other diseases?
Hi Kagiso,
I’m really sorry to hear this. It’s not good to have to go 2 days without meds because that could stop your meds working properly.
It’s important that you ask your doctor to test for drug resistance. If the meds are not working properly you can ask for the drugs to be changed to drugs that will be effective.
Do you have support? The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) offers support for HIV treatment.
TAC is the largest HIV positive support organisation in South Africa and they were responsible for the drive to get ARVs available in SA.
The main office is in Cape Town, but there are support groups and branches across the country, including in Jo’burg.
http://www.tac.org.za/contact
They also publish an excellent newsletter every three months, called “Equal Treatment”. This is available in English, Xhosa, Zulu and Tsonga.
http://www.tac.org.za/equal-treatment/pain-public-sector
Hi there. I’ve been on ARVs for 8 years. Recently my medication was delayed and I had to go for 2 days without taking medication. What are the dangers? how do I handle such a situation in future?
Doctor my problem is that I have been given TRIXAZOLE at the clinic and my CD4 is 558 is this the right treatment for me will it be at mistake if I take ART or Tribuss
H LoLo
Triazole is an antibiotic contain two drugs – it is a generic version of co-trimoxazole. It is fine to take this with Trubuss or other HIV meds.
I don’t know where you live but some countries wait until the CD4 counts falls below 500 before stating treatment.
I have just founded out that I was HIV + a month ago and my CD4 558 at the clinic they give me TRIXAZOLE pills is this the right pills to take at my stage. I was told that I cant be on ARV for now