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 Nomsa.
Ilvitrim is an antibiotic, whereas nervirapine is an ARV. Babies born to positive mothers will be given a cause of ARVs, and is some instances they will also be given antibiotics.
Hi
Ice like to to know what is the difference between ilvitrim suspension an niviropin in babies
Hi Cakes,
Antibiotics are given to anyone who has a bacterial infection. It makes no difference whether you are HIV negative or HIV positive. So the desired effect it should leave you with is that the infection has been cured. This Q&A service is only about HIV though, so please talk to your doctor about anything that worries you.
Hi, I’m not hiv positive, but went to hospital fpr a bad cough.. The doc gave me trixazole which i need to take 2 twice a day,it makes me nauseous, now when i did some research on it and foumd that it’s an antibiotic given to people who is hiv positive… But now i want to know is, is it ok for me to use it will it leave some sort of effect afterwards…???
Hi Tso,
What medication are you taking? How long have you been on them for? If its less than 2 weeks, then this can be common when starting some ARVs. It usually goes within a few weeks.
hello i just started arvs and I’ve been given ilvitrim but after taking them i always feel like vomiting… it goes on and on for the whole day. it’s uneasy
Hi Venessa,
What is it that you’re taking? How long have you been on them for?
Hi: the arvs that I’m drinking it makes my head dizzy must it be like that
Hi Karabo,
What was your viral load when you started? What is it now?
A persons viral load should become undetectable within 3 months of starting meds. However in some people it can take longer. This is why its important to have your viral load checked.
If your viral load is still high, then there’s a possibility that the meds may not be working like they should do. This is something that you’ll need to talk to your doctor about.
Hi, have been on arv’s and Trixazole for six months now but my viral load is decreasing slowly, what can I do?