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 thabang,
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. Unfortunately, headaches are a common side effect when first starting the med. However, the headaches should go within a few weeks. For more on tribuss please see this link:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
I started taking tribuss 2days back and now I get mother of a headaches. what’s happening?
Hi Ntombifuthi,
What was your weight before you started meds and what is it now? Also, do you know what your CD4 is?
Ive been taking tribuss for 3mnths now but my body stil not gaining its normal weigth…an sametimes I experience headeche.I du drink lot of water.cn that be the side effects an what must I do to prevent them…
Hi William,
Its great that you aren’t having side effects. This is something to be happy about.
I hear some people saying that they are having side effects after taking tribuss but i haven’t had a single side effect happening to me is this normal?
Hi Melanie,
Why did your doctor give you tribuss for 30days? The risks form oral sex are negligible.
I gave a guy a BJ and he wasn’t wearing a condom. The doctor put me on Tribuss for 30days. I’m worried about the side effects. Any advice
Hi Zoe,
Both truno and heftenam are generic versions of Atripla. Therefore, they contain exactly the same things. As you’ve had no side effects, you shouldn’t have any when you switch. For more info on Atripla, please see this link:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi
I’ve been using heftenam for three months n now I’ve received an SMS that my medication will be changed due to supply problems n I’ll be using truno,my worry is won’t I have new side effects for this drug coz I was used to heftenam n I wasn’t experiencing any side effects.is truno effective as heftenam?
Thank u.