Question

Why have I been given Tribuss – is this an ARV?

5 February 2018. Related: All topics, Southern 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

Answer: Simon Collins

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.

363 comments

  1. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi kanana,

    I’m not sure what it is that you’re wanting to ask. If you want to know about Tribuss, (this is a generic version of Atripla) please see here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/1561

    Info about starting meds can be found here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/starting

  2. kanana •

    Its my second day using Tribuss and I was using it at day light am still caved.

  3. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Rose,

    Citenvir and Atrozia are both generic versions of Atripla. This means that they contain the same compounds. Therefore, is fine to make this switch. Please see here for more info:

    http://i-base.info/guides/1561

  4. Rose •

    I was using Atroiza, they changed me to Citenvir and I don’t feel comfortable because I have been using Atroiza for a long time and I never had problems with it

  5. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Nonhle,

    Tribuss and Atrozia are both generic versions of Atripla. This means that they contain the same compounds. Basically they are the same thing. Therefore, its OK to take the Atrozia. For more info, please see here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/1561

  6. Nonhle •

    I was given Tribuss today, I’m scared to take it because last time i was given Atrozia. Can I take this?

  7. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Kelly,

    If the exposure was more than max 72 hrs ago, the Tribuss won’t work, neither would the blue pill that you’ve mentioned.

    If the person you has sex with is on meds and has an undetectable viral load the risk of transmission is close to zero. Please see here:

    http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/

  8. kelly •

    Hi my name is Kelly
    I had sex with a hiv positive person can I take tribuss pills so that I can try prevent getting the virus. Or I need to strictly get the blue tablet.

  9. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Euni,

    What meds were you on before you were given Tribuss?

  10. euni •

    hi

    I’ve just been given Tribuss. I would like to know what’s the different with other ARVs. The medication I have isn’t the same.

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