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 have been on Atripla for a month now and my body has adapted to it i could say. On my next visit to get my meds the pharmesist advised that i speak to my medical aid so they could cover the full cost as it is a chronic med.Unfortunately they do not cover Atipla fully but they do Tribuss is it wise to change meds cos of cost and is the generic less effective than the original
Thanks Angel
Hi Tyson, soft skin or becoming more red are not side effects. It is more likely that starting treatment has made you notice things that otherwise you wouldn’t have seen. It sounds like you are worrying about normal things in life that are not linked to treatment.
Thanks for your info.ive been taking my tribuss but iddnt know that imust wait atleast 2hours before eating but through this info i managed to learn.
But ihave a problem my skin inside my hand is much softer than before.and maybe if i put my hand or something hard anywhere on my skin ,my skin become redish….
Hi TT,
Leaving the lid off your Atripla bottle for 5hrs will not effect them.
I’m on atripla and the doubt of my concern is what will happen if I forget to close my container lid for 5 hours?will the medication still be effective?
Hi Precious,
Ilvitrim is a brand name for two antibiotics in one pill. The generic name for this is co-trimoxazole. Other common brand names are Purbac, Septrin and Bactrim.
The two drugs in co-trimoxazole are trimethoprim (TMP) and sulphamethoxazole (SMX). It is mainly used to either prevent or treat infections, including PCP which is a type of pneumonia and toxoplasmosis which can affect your brain. It is not used for weight gain.
In the UK, this med is given to everybody who has a CD4 count under 200. In some other countries, especially in Africa, this is used at higher CD4 counts (under 350) because it also protects against a broad range of other infections.
wanna knw if i can pick up my weight by taking
ilvitrim tablets
Hi Foxxy.
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. Please see the following for more information on Atripla:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
As you have not developed side effects in the first week, it is unlikely that you will do.
Atripla is not know to cause changes in your skin. Weight loss is no longer a common side effect.
If you are worried about your weight, a healthy diet could help this.
Hi, I was diagnosed with H.I.V+ this year and I was taken blood tests and my cd4 count came 785 and I was given tribuss(arvs) right away. I never vomited 1st day of taking them but I just felt dizziness and never developed rash , n I have now 6days taking these pill. so my question is that: am I going to develop rash or weight loss coz I never experienced these things since I started to take them n what can I do to stay healthy without weight loss. I’m stress free n I accepted the day I was diagnosed hiv+. I want to know the food I must take in order to prevent changing of skin.
Hi Rehana – there is a window of an hour either side which is all okay. This means any time from 8.30 to 10.30 is the same as taking your meds at 9.30.