Q and A

Question

Questions about Tribuss

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.

303 comments

  1. nomzamo

    I’m about to start treatment, I work shifts from 6am until 2pm, then 2pm until 10.30pm. When is the best time to take my meds?

  2. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Haroldine,

    Tribuss is used to treat HIV, and only HIV.

  3. Haroldine

    I wanted to know if there are other illnesses that are treated with tribuss medication.

  4. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Palesa,

    Tribuss is perfectly safe use when pregnant.

    If you are pregnant, or you’re thinking about becoming pregnant you might find our HIV and pregnancy guide helpful:

    http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

  5. palesa

    Hi, can I use tribuss tablets during pregnancy?

  6. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Anonymous.

    If your partner is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load the risk of transmission when having sex without a condom is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:

    http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/

    If they aren’t on medication, then yes in general PEP can and does work if taken as prescribed. For more info please see here:

    http://i-base.info/pep-and-prep/

  7. anonymous

    I’ve been tested hiv_ & my partner is hiv+,and the condom bust .i went to the Dr and he prescribed Tribuss for 28 days.it’s its going to protect me for being infected?plz help I’m so frustrated

  8. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Liefie,

    Headaches aren’t among the common side effects of nucotrims. Please see here:

    https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684026.html#side-effects

    Therefore, your father should see his doctor.

  9. Liefie

    My father has been given nucotrims an they are not treating him well. He complains about headache so I want to know is it nucotrim causing this headache or not?

  10. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Pls,

    It sounds like you may have an infection. Therefore, please go and see a doctor about this.

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