Question
Why am I on ilvitrim? (co-trimoxazole)
29 July 2013. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections.
I am worried why my CD4 count is dropping so fast,what can i do to keep it above 500? I am currently put on ilvitrim, why ilvitrim?
Answer
Hello,
Thank you for your email. Can you give me a bit more information?
It would be useful if you could tell me what your most recent CD4 count is, and the last few results so that I can understand how quickly this is decreasing.
If your CD4 count is above 500, then your immune system is still very strong. This is likely to slowly go down over time until you start ARVs. This is the only proven way to increase your CD4 count.
The CD4 count guideline for starting treatment will depend on where you live. Can you tell me which country you live in? For example, in the UK, the current recommendation is to start when the CD4 count is about 350.
Ilvitrim is a brand name for two antibiotics in one pill. The generic name for this is co-trimoxazole. Other common brand names are Purbac, Septrin and Bactrim.
The two drugs in co-trimoxazole are trimethoprim (TMP) and sulphamethoxazole (SMX). It is mainly used to either prevent or treat infections, including PCP which is a type of pneumonia and toxoplasmosis which can affect your brian.
In the UK, this med is given to everybody who has a CD4 count under 200. In some other countries, especially in Africa, this is used at higher CD4 counts (under 350) because it also protects against a broad range of other infections.
As with any medicine, it is important to ask your doctor or nurse these questions so you understand this part of your life.
Hi Consolation,
If you’re feeling unwell, please see a doctor.
If you’re just started ARVs, this could be a side effect.
Have headache and blocked ears
Hi Lettah,
Please speak to your doctor about this.
I have been using this ilvitrim pills for 2months now and I’m having back problems ever since I started taking them, please help.
Hi Rehana,
Ilvitrim is a brand name for two antibiotics in one pill. The generic name for this is co-trimoxazole. Other common brand names are Purbac, Septrin and Bactrim.
The two drugs in co-trimoxazole are trimethoprim (TMP) and sulphamethoxazole (SMX). It is mainly used to either prevent or treat infections, including PCP which is a type of pneumonia and toxoplasmosis which can affect your brian.
In the UK, this med is given to everybody who has a CD4 count under 200. In some other countries, especially in Africa, this is used at higher CD4 counts (under 350) because it also protects against a broad range of other infections.
You should ask your doctor why you have been given ilvitrim.
Hi tribuss /atroiza now my Dr gives me ilvitrim I will like to know that it for
Hi Simon, your CD4 results are very good. They show your meds are working well. Please talk to your clinic about the stomach and back pains. Atenef, Atroiza and Odimune are all the same meds – just made by different manufacturers. See:
http://i-base.info/guides/12423
Hi Lisa
When i started my arv with ilvitrim my cd4 was 170 and now is over 350 and i feel healthy but since i started with nutrition I’m experiencing burning sensation in the stomach and back pains. I’m using Atenef I’ve been using Atroiza and Odimune.
Hi. I’ve been using ilvitrim for almost a year and I’ve been well. Just a month ago at the clinic they changed and gave me nucotrim instead. Ever since i started using this nucotrim I’m having weak mornings, burning sensation in my stomach and back pains. Is it possible that all this is caused by nucotrim? Please help.
Hi Simon,
The drugs that you talk about are not for HIV. They are antibiotics to prevent infection. In the UK they are given to people with a CD4 of less than 200. In Africa this may be below 350. Do you have a low CD4 count? And what ARVs are you taking?