Question
Why have I been given Tribuss – is this an ARV?
5 February 2018. Related: All topics, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I started taking Tribuss about two weeks ago.
I’d like to know what are the side effects of this medication and what is the difference between them and ARVs.
I was shocked when my doctor prescribed me with Tribuss instead of ARVs which I’m familiar with when people are HIV+?
Answer
Hello,
Thanks for your email. How are you doing?
Tribuss is a pill that contains three HIV drugs (ARVs) – efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir DF.
It is one of the generic versions of the brand-name drug Atripla. For a picture of Tribuss see this link.
So your doctor has prescribed you ARVs, and this pill is very effective at treating HIV.
Side effects mainly related to the efavirenz. These include mood changes, sleep problems, vivid dreams (sometimes nightmares). Luckily, for most people, these usually get easier within the first few weeks. If not though, please talk to your doctor about different choices.
This link has more information about efavirenz side effects and how to manage them.
You guide is an Introduction to ART.
Because you are in South Africa, the Treatment Action Campaign may also have more information about treatment and support in SA.
Note: This answer was updated in February 2018 from a question first posted online in October 2013.
Hi,
Side effects usually get better after a few weeks of taking a medication. However if they are affecting you at work, or if they haven’t gotten better after a few weeks you should talk to your clinic or doctor. They will be able to help you decide wether or not to change treatment and what to change too.
I started using tribuss two days but now I’m feeling dizzy even at work I can’t concentrate
Tribuss is a combination pill used to treat HIV. Occasionally it might be used for a short period to reduce the risk of catching HIV (this is not recommended in the UK).
This might be reasonable information to decide that using condoms is a good idea, especially if your bf doesn’t want to talk to you about it.
The reason why you bf is taking it is something that you have to discuss with him.
You can also discuss this with your doctor without your boyfriend, as your doctor is responsible for your personal health.
Me and my bf we went to see a doctor we find out that we have STI I would like to now why my bf was prescribe to use Tribuss
Hi,
Tribuss and Trivenz are both generic versions (copies) of a pill called Atripla. This means that they contain the same medications and work in the same way. They only have different names because they are made by different companies. As you did not have side effects on Tribuss you should not get any on Trivenz.
Hi I’d like to know the difference between Tribuss and Trivenz, my doctor prescribed me Tribuss and the pharmacyst give me Trivenz and now i’m confused. Can I change from taking Tribuss to Trivenz? I had no side effects with Tribuss, if I take Trivenz will there be side effects?
Hi Rennie,
Your doctor is right. This method of prevention is called PeP. It works by using HIV drugs to prevent HIV ever getting a foothold. You can find more information about PeP here:
http://i-base.info/qa/4536
Hi. I had unprotected sex with my bf. I am HiV- but wasnt sure of his status since we were not together for a year. I went to see a Doctor who recommended tribuss. Can a HIV negative person be given Tribuss? He said it can prevent the virus as it was within 72 hours.
Hi Thaa
Without knowing your situation I cannot know why a doctor prescribed you these meds. This is something to ask your doctor or the clinic you visited.
It sound like it might be prescribed as PEP which stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis. This is the medical term for using medicine after exposure to an infection in the hope that if might prevent the infection.
Using a course of HIV meds (usually for a month) immediately after a condom accident (usually within 48 hours, but the sooner the better) has a good chance of preventing you becoming positive.
Please ask your doctor or clinic though to confirm this. They can also answer any other questions that you have.
I started taking Tribuss about two weeks ago because he left the condom inside me , I would like to know why doctor prescribed me with Tribuss am HIV – ?
My boyfriend is HIV positive not on treatment yet.