Q and A

Question

Is there a difference between Atripla, Odimune, Rizene and Tribuss etc

Hi

I started with Atripla, then received Odimune and now I have been given Tribuss from my provider.

I have never had side effects. How safe is it for me to take Tribuss?

I’m afraid it might change how I look. Is it the same as the two I have already been taking?

Answer

Hi

Tribuss and Odimune are generic versions of the fixed dose combination pill Atripla. These drugs have different names because they are made by different manufacturers.

Each version contains the same doses of three drugs. These are tenofovir, FTC and efavirenz.

There are no safety concerns from switching from one version to another.

Although some HIV meds have been linked to body shape changes, this is not commonly reported for any of these drugs. One exception, generally rare, is that efavirenz has been linked to weight gain in breast tissue – also called gynaecomastia (GYE-na-co-MAS-tee-ah).

See:

Efavirenz-associated gynaecomastia reported to the national HIV and TB healthcare workers hotline in South Africa

Dihydrotestosterone for HAART-associated breast enlargement in men

This answer was updated on 12 July 2020 from an original question on 21 May 2013.

134 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Rirhandzu,

    How long have you been using the Acriptega for?

  2. Rirhandzu

    Hello, I changed Atroiza to Acriptega. Because I was vomiting, no appetite and weak. Now I’m using Acriptega no side effect. My problem now I started having back pains, chest pains and heavy headache

  3. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Nelisiwe,

    Cipla are the company who manufacture Odimune, please see here:

    https://i-base.info/guides/12423

    Duovir is a different combination, it contains zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine, it’s different to Odimune. Do you know why you’ve been given this medication? I’m asking as it’s not commonly prescribed.

    Which country are you in?

  4. Nelisiwe

    Is odumune and cipla duovir the same… I was given this combination

  5. Simon Collins

    Hi Mpumi, please could you check the spelling of your meds.

    Acriptega contains dolutegravir and should be taken in the morning.

    Atripla contains efavirenz and should be taken at night.

  6. Mpumi

    Am I right if I drink in the morning my pill Actripla

  7. Simon Collins

    Hi Dee, how are you and how is your treatment going? So long as everything is good, you do not need to worry. Atroiza and Odimune both contain the saem HV drugs. They are generic versions of the same medicines.

  8. Dee

    Good evening I was diagnosed with hiv last month n given Atrozia and now am given Odimune must I go to my doctor or should I be worried

  9. Simon Collins

    Hi Mavis

    Please talk to your doctor about this. IT is very unlikely that Rizene would cause these changes. Is it possible that the change in manufacturer made you more aware of changes that might have started earlier? Please talk to your doctor though who should know your normal weight and who needs to see the changes. There might be an alternative HIV combination now that you could try.

  10. Mavis

    I have been on Odimune since 2010 dispensed from Medipost pharmacy and ever since I changed to Clicks pharmacy in may 2021, they give me Rizene. Problem is I losing weight around my waist, thighs and legs ever since on Rizene and I’m not on diet.

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