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 Nokwanda,
In the UK we use a version of Tribuss called Atripla. This has the same side effects and so on. You can read about this here. Please let me know if you have questions after looking there.
My cd4 count is 230 and i want to know the side effect of tribuss that i must expect in my body
Hi again,
Tribuss is best taken at night, an hour or two before you go to bed. It’s a good idea to leave at least 2 hours between eating and taking Tribuss as this can make side effects easier to deal with. You don’t need to eat after taking them unless you want to.
It is normal to have some side effects when you first start treatment. If you feel ill it’s important to explain this to your doctor or clinic so they can try to judge if this is a side effect or another illness. If you are feeling sick you should be able to get a medicine to help with this.
It can take a long time for the CD4 count to increase, and not everybody’s CD4 count will get as high as 350. Just being on treatment means that you are less likely to get ill though, even if your CD4 count stays low. You can read about average CD4 count increases here.
Thanks Rebecca no I don’t have support group but I am living positively I have accept that I have virus and I start med this week. At Hospital they didn’t explain to me when should I drink the meds.. Or before or after meals but I have read on this sight a lot and it very helpful.. I have decided to take them at night on an empty stomach is it right thing to do? Then eat after 2hours or so.. As for today I drink the vitamin B and trixazole at the morning. Then at the afternoon I drink Tribuss but it makes my stomach so painful. I don’t know if this is a good option…My CD4 is very low I’m so scared but I’m not feeling sick in my body but after I took this meds I feel so weak.. How long will it take for my cd4 to increase to 350 atleast… I’m worried
Hi Mxolisi,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Do you have any support to help you deal with this?
Tribuss contains 3 ARVs- efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. This is very effective treatment for HIV and should bring the virus in your body under control within 3-6 months. After this you would expect to see your CD4 count gradually increase. There is more information about late diagnosis and low CD4 counts here.
Hi.I’m 23 years I was shoked that I’m HIV positive I can’t even think straight I’m a university student.Today I went for my results on blood test and cd4 67 and they said it very low they gave me Tribuss and Trixazole meds.. I wanna know when will I start ARVs..? How long will take.. I want to increase my CD4
Hi Amanda,
Why have you stopped taking Tribuss? As I explained in answer to your previous question it is fine to get pregnant while taking Tribuss and this can protect your baby from being infected with HIV. If your parter is HIV negative being on treatment can also protect him from infection.
If you have stopped treatment it is important to go to your doctor and explain this. After you stop treatment your viral load will increase quickly and your CD4 count is likely to drop. You will most likely be asked to restart Tribuss but will need to be monitored to make sure that you have not developed any resistance.
Hi my name Is Amanda & I’m currently taking tribuss
Nd want to hv a bby so I hv stoped taking it nd wish
To know wat will happended to me when I don’t take
Anymore pls reply my health
Hi Thabang,
Because you have been on treatment since 14 weeks it is very likely that you will be able to have a vaginal delivery without infecting your baby. In the UK this would depend on having an undetectable viral load, but this may be different in your country. You can read more about delivery choices in our pregnancy guide.
I am on tribuss medication & 24 weeks pregnant. I started my medication at 14 weeks. I will not breast feed. My question is: is it possible for me to give birth to my daughter naturaly without passing the vairus to her?