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 Phumla,
It’s a good idea for your husband to talk to the doctor about these symptoms. Especially as he’s just started treatment. Treating HIV and TB can be complicated. But he can ask the doctor to find out what’s causing the cramps.
My husband started treatment 2weeks ago and he is complaining of cramps in his feet and hands and he is also on TB treatment, should I be worried?
Hi Blackman,
How long has your wife been using Atrozia? How long has she been behaving like this?
From what you’ve said it sounds like she needs to see a doctor. Yes this could be related to her ARVs. However, it could be a sign of a mental health issue. If she’s drinking a lot, then she may need to also speak to someone about this. This will need to be her decision, though she’s likely to need some support.
My name is Blackman my wife is HIV positive and we have a 7 mouths old healthy baby boy and my wife is taking Atroiza my she is using alcohol and she drinks every day and I am afraid because it seems that she losing her mind because she does not sleep at night she is afraid because she hear and see things that we don’t see, please help . From Cape Town
Hi Tlalane,
If someone develops a rash when they are taking ARVs they need to discuss this with their doctor. Though it may be something simple, it could also be a sign of a serious reaction.
Hi my mother she started feeling sick and she has rash after taking atrioza
Hi Nkhens,
Its good to hear that most of the side effects that you’ve been experiencing have gone. This is a great sign.
Your doctor should be able to give you something for diarrhea.
I’m hiv+ first month they gave me tribusis and the second month they gave me atroiza and I’ve been having diarhea for a months but once a day should I be worried that the meds are not working.I was having dizziness and nausea and head aches but they have stopped accept for diarhea.
Hi Malies,
The pain in your side is unlikely to be due to the Atrozia. Therefore, if this is causing you discomfort, you should speak to a doctor.
I have been on Atrioza for 12 weeks. This week I have started to get a terrible side pain on my right hand-side.
Is this one of the side effect of the me?