Question
My brother is having side effects with Atroiza
23 July 2013. Related: All topics.
My brother is 35 and HIV positive.
He has been using Atroiza for a week. CD4 is 216 and he’s always dizzy, has lost weight, is not eating well and i think he’ losing his mind. Please help!
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your email. Atroiza contains a drug called efavirenz that can affect your emotions and they way you act. For some people it can seem like you are going crazy.
Usually these side effects will improve after the first few weeks of treatment but for some people these can be severe or may not improve over time. If you are worried it is important that your brother talks to his doctor so that they can assess the severity of his side effects.
Some people need to change to different treatment very early on though if these side effects are severe.
Please see this page in our side effects guide for more information.
Atroiza is a generic version of Atripla.
Hi Preciouse.
When in February did you start your medication?
It sounds like you may be reacting to the efavirenz that are contained in the atrozia. These feelings should go in a few weeks. However some people don’t tolerate efavirenz very well. Please see Q3 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
You may need to speak to a doctor about changing.
I started atroiza in Feb. Since I’ve been on meds, I feel like I’m being attacked by an evil spirit. I’m no longer myself. When will this stop?
Hi Tauzen,
Have you asked your mother how long she’s been positive for? She may have had the condition for many years and just decide not to talk about it. If your mother is on meds and her HIV is under control, she won’t die from HIV.
I can’t say how your girl became HIV positive, but just like your mother she is doing the right thing by being on treatment. Also her being on treatment is protecting you from contracting HIV.
Its common to be concerned about the people that we love. However, its also important to understand that HIV is a very manageable health condition. And that many people live well with HIV.
Hi there
I just discovered that my mom is taking atriza pills,she is 72yrs,hw did it come out now?is she affected by this killer desease but how n why now,please explain further so that i can help and assist her……same as my girl she is 37yrs same she is taking efavirenz n myself i have tested negative twice n how did she got this,very sad feeling i got,tnx
Hi Dineo,
When your sister is vomiting is this soon after she’s taken atrozia or later? Other vomiting how is she doing?
My sister started atroiza two weeks ago, since started treatment she suffers nausea and vomits a lot .
Hi Amanda,
Because you have a rash its important that you go and see your doctor. This is because having a rash could be a sign of a serious side effect. If the rash is related to the atrozia, it will not be contagious.
I started with atroiza last week and now my body is full of this rush that is itchy. Will this go away in time? What can I do help this, and is this contagious?
Hi Khumbulani,
Its common to sometimes miss a dose. You will though, be OK. Please see Q4 here for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I missed my treatment last night for first time, what must I do? This is new to me please help, do I need to panic or what?