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
I took tribuss as PEP i finished on the 28th of December 2017. First 2 weeks the pills were weakening me thank God i was taking them at night but i would still feel powerless in the morning. I also experienced strange dreams It got better though till i finished the course. Now I am feeling down, kind of depressed. I am preferring to be by myself. On the 30 and 31st i did not even leave my apartment. Is this normal after stopping tribuss ?
Hi Mpho, it sound like you have been using meds as PEP just in case your boyfriend is HIV positive. PEP reduces the risk that your become positive. Tribuss in only used as PEP in some countries (but not its the UK). This is because you might be getting side effects that are difficult – and can included feeling confused.
Hello
I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and i don’t know his status but mine is Hiv negative and i went to a Dr and prescribed me tribuss for 9 days.I am confused.
Hi Motswanku, it is good that your husband is now on treatment and also that he is taking the antibiotics ilvitrim (also called cotrimoxazole). One of the HIV drugs in Tribuss can cause side effects that can change your mood and make self less good so you end up tired. This drug is efavirenz. Tips to reduce the side effects include taking Tribuss just before bedtime and not eating a heavy meal or anything with a high fat content for two hours before. This article has more information:
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Luckily, these side effects usually get easier after the first few weeks. If they are still difficult, please ask your husband to talk to his doctor about other options.
My husband was diagnosed with hiv on the 18 Dec 2017 and started using Tribuss they also gave him ilvitrim which he drinks 2 in any time. He is always dizzy but he eats a lot and his urine is yellow, he was actually admitted for jaundice but when they couldn’t find the problem with his liver they then said it’s HIV. How long is he going to be this dizzy,can he use traditional muthi while using the pills? I’ve Google and seen that ilvitrim can also make him drowsy. Are they not too much for him as this is making him weak. Worried wife.
Hi Frankline,
What is your CD4 and that of your wife? Is there any reason why your wife isn’t on meds and why you have problems adhering to them?
If a persons isn’t consistent with their medication they may develop resistance to their medication. Therefore, its important to take ARVs daily. The more you default, the more problems you could have. Your treatment options could also be limited.
Even if both you and your wife feel healthy, this doesn’t mean that you are. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor about this. Many people feel well when they are positive and not on meds and this is even people who have low CD4 counts.
If you’d like more info about starting meds and staying on them, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hi, me and my wife we are both positive but she has refuse to take treatment but me am on treatment eventhough not frequent treatment.what is going to happen?sometimes i stay for a month without taking treatment .But we are both very healthy why?
Hi Nondumiso,
In someone countries Tribuss may be given to someone who has had a risky sexual encounter as well as to those who are positive.
Can tribuss be taken by someone who is hiv negative by any chance?
Hi Thandeka,
Tribuss, (a generic version of Atripla) is a very effective ARV, its given to people with varying CD4 counts. Its commonly used by many people who are positive. For more info about it, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561