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 Babalwa,
Testing positive can be a tough time for most people. But it’s great that you’ve started treatment. And it’s good too that many people can recover from a low CD4 count such as 7. But your husband might need extra support with his treatment.
Can you both get support from your clinic for ARV treatment? There might be support organisations in your country that can help and support both of you. Do you know if there are any where you live?
Hi My husband and I tested HIV positive a month ago, my CD4 count was 500 and his was 7 ,I was started with ARVs on the spot,and I found out he’s been in and out of ARVs which could have been caused by denial /ignorance, my worry is,could he have AIDS? how long will it take for his CD4count to increase? He is on Ilvitrm,Vitamin Bco and ARVs and he doesn’t seem to be improving in terms of weight and skin problems.
Hi Nomhle,
I’m sorry but I don’t understand the question.Could you please rephrase it?
Hi today I was in hospital for my treat ment then I report to Dr ivegot a headache but she gave me this Ilvitrim .Then I want to know how safe I am on this rash cause I never have any thing since I used ARV from July
Hi Noma, thanks, it sounds like you are getting good care and doing everything right. All these things will be good at protecting your baby. Congratulations on everything :)
Hi I am on arv,breastfeeding an 8 weeks daughter who is taking ilvitrim suspension every day with a dose of 5ml as instructed but not sure if my baby is safe from getting HIV.
Hi Thobekile,
It is possible to get a rash when using ilvitrim, this is however something that should be discussed with a doctor. Do you know why you’re being given this?
Hi i was given ilvitrim but since i started taking them i develop this bad rash on my face so now ive stopped taking them i was diagnosed in dec 2015 my face gets itchy everytime i take them,tnx
Hi Gloria,
Ilvitrim is used to treat many different infections. Since you’ve been taking it has the rash started to go?
How are you,I’m on arvs ,I developed a serious rash and went back to the hospital ,they gave me ilvitrim ,will it finish it ,I’m stressed and my cd4 acc last month was 229 ,after one month taking arvs it rose to 320