Question
Does Atroiza have interactions with TB meds?
24 April 2013. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
I am taking atroiza the fixed dose ARV combination in South Africa so I want to know if it does not have any drug interaction with TB medication?
Answer
Hello,
Atroiza is a once daily combination pill which contains three drugs -efavirenz, emtricibatine and tenofovir. This combination is made by several drug companies and is also called Tribuss, Trustiva, Odimune. These are all generic versions of Atripla.
This combination can have an interaction with some TB medications that may require a dose adjustment. If Atroiza is co-administered with rifampicin to patients weighing 50 kg or more, an additional 200 mg/day (800 mg total) of efavirenz may be considered. It is important to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist as this will vary across individuals.
Hi
Although it is not good to regularly miss doses, you will probably be fine from just taking one dose late.
Atroiza should be taken at night, so you are asleep when the side effects like dizziness occur. Taking Atroiza during the day can be difficult, so if you forget an evening dose again, it may be better just to wait until the next evening.
If you don’t have trouble with side effects, then taking the missed dose as soon as you remember is usually recommended for most HIV meds, but don’t double the dose. Only ever take the recommended dose.
I started taking Atroiza in March 26. My taking time is 9pm. On the 25 May I was away and couldn’t take my pill as I left them at home. I then came in the morning and take it,how will that affect me.
Hi
It sounds like you have had an HIV test during pregnancy and the results were positive. Women who are HIV positive and pregnant usually start treatment after the first 12-14 weeks of the pregnancy, if they were not already on treatment.
This is to give the medicines plenty of time to bring the amount of HIV in your blood down to very low levels. The aim is for HIV viral load to be undetectable before the baby is born.
In general, this would happen in the UK at any CD4 count, so it sounds like the nurse is giving you good care.
Although most people gets side effects, these usually reduce after the first few days and weeks as your body adjusts to the medicine. One of the meds that is commonly used is called efavirenz. If this is one of the meds you are taking, you need to know that the side effects can also make you dizzy or anxious and can give you vivid dreams that interrupt your sleep.
If the side effects are too difficult, then speak to the nurse about alternative meds. If they don’t get easier, there are others you can use.
This link has more info about efavirenz side effects.
This link is to a guide about HIV and pregnancy.
I’m 21 weeks pregnant @ a weight of 50kg n the nurse did not even wait for my CD4 results back she just gave me the pills n they are making me vomit,dizzy n I don’t know what to do?? Please help me I’m confused n new @ this
Thanks for sharing your experience. Sometimes it does take a while for your body to adjust to treatment. It is still important though to tell your doctor about any side effects in case they are symptoms of something else or in case there are simple ways to reduce them.
I’m glad things are going well now :)
Hi
I am one of the people who start taking the drugs, and I am pregnant.
The side effects for me were strong at first, but if you get them tell your doctor. the drug will be searching the disease. u jst have to be strong. I wanted to tell you that now am fine.
Hi Lerato,
There are different drugs available in South Africa although Atroiza is the only once-a-day pill available. You can contact the Treatment Action Campaign for information about drug availability and also to find out about support groups.
Is there any alternative available in South Africa just in case i get serious side effects related to efavirenz? Lastly, How can I get hold of one of the support groups in South Africa?
Please help.
Hi Lerato,
Atroiza is a generic version of the very widely used Atripla. It’s also known as Odimune, Tribuss, Trustiva and various other names depending on the company producing it. The version used in the UK is Atripla and you can read about it, including info about side effects, here. Fat accumulation (lipodystophy) is less common with this combination than with older drugs d4T and AZT.
How is Atroiza different from the well know ARV cocktails? and what about the side effects? Are there any patients who are already popping Atroiza and how are they reacting to this med? can one expect fats accumulation side effects when using Atroiza?