Question
How long can I live on Atroiza?
18 June 2013. Related: All topics, Life expectancy.
I’m a girl aged 20 and I’m HIV positive. My CD4 is 174 and I’m taking atroiza.
I want to know how long can I live?
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your email.
Having HIV can sometimes be difficult. But modern treatment is very effective. It means that you can have a near-normal life expectancy and a good quality of life.
Nobody can predict how long anyone will live. This depends on things you can change (smoking, exercise, medication) and thing you can’t (genetics and bad luck).
Do you have any support to deal with being HIV positive? If you are in South Africa you could contact the Treatment Action Campaign for information about treatment and support in your area.
The i-Base Introduction to combination therapy guide also has general information about treatment.
Atroiza is a generic version of Atripla.
Please me know if you have any questions or I can help further.
Hi Nelly
Without knowing your current meds, treatment history or which meds are available in your country it is difficult to provide specific information.
In general, if you developed resistance to your previous meds you need to use new drugs for your next combination. Even if for viral load is this high, there may be treatment that can help.
Try to talk to your doctor about the problems you have with medication. You need to be able to take meds for them to work.
I need help guyz iv been positive since 2011 earliest i cnt keep up wit these meds n my viral load is abt 1million sumtn dnt knw wat to du at my clinic iv been told i culd hv menegitis
It is difficult to know how to answer your post as the same three drugs are in Atripla and Atroiza. Sometimes when different formulations are used, people report that it takes a little time for their body to adjust again. You have the choice of continuing to see if their improves or to try to change back or to different meds.
Hi, i am currently taking Atripla since 2012 and they still make me sleep like a dead person and when i tell my doctor that this Atripla is too strong for me he doesnt want to bealive me as one day i did took my wife’s medication (Atroiza) and i was like a normal person. meaning i didnt sleep like a dead person during the night and even when i woke up i was not feeling tired but when i take my medicine (Atripla) each and everyday i woke up i feel tired. Please advise me as my doctor doesnt want to bealive me as even my wife was taking Atripla and she was experiencing the same problem i have until her doctor change her to Atroiza and now she feel good. Please advise me as i am confused now.
Hi Zandi,
Most people take Atroiza at night, an hour or so before going to bed. This is because taking it at night can make side effects milder during the day. It’s also a good idea to leave at least 2 hours between eating and when you take Atroiza, although it doesn’t matter if this is two hours before or after.
The side effects like bad dreams that you have heard about are linked to a drug called efavirenz, one of the 3 drugs in Atroiza. Not everybody gets these side effects but it’s good to know a bit about them so that you are not alarmed if they happen. You can read about efavirenz side effects here.
If you do have any side effects it’s a good idea to discuss these with your doctor. If you feel sick after taking your pills, or if you get a rash, it’s important that your doctor knows about this so they can check how serious it is and give you treatment if neccessary.
Weight loss and seeing things are not usual side effects, although a small number of people may experience this. It’s important to tell the doctor if this happens.
hi I’m starting my atrioza today. Should I take it before food or after food,is it true that with it u will also have bad dreams,seeing things that other people don’t see,vomit,have a rash, and loose weight?
Hi Mpumy
There is a very good chance that your baby will not have HIV. This depends on several things, but the most important one is that your are using HIV treatment. Best wishes to you and your new baby.
See the guide to HIV and pregnancy for more information.
I am 8 mönths pregnant and i started to use this treatment when i was 6 months preg. What is the possibility that the child can be negative?
Hi Thulisile
These are all questions that you need to talk to your doctor or nurse about.
I cannot comment on whether this is morning sickness or side effects because this has to be done by a health worker who knows you and your history.
It is important ou do this because you should not be loosing wight during pregnancy.
I am 27 years old. I was diagnosed in 2011. I also got pregnent recently and I am 12 weeks.
I am taking Atroiza but i vomit evryday. I have lost my appetite and i even loose weight.
I don’t know if this is morning sickness or side effects of this pill. After taking it my tummy got burn as if i have sores, plz help me.