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 just want fo find out when we get to the Clinic they give a different pills like Odimune next Months Atenef why are they giving different instead of same product?
Hi Portia,
There’s a similar question answered here. So even when starting treatment, there is a window of about an hour either side of your target time when it is still fine to take them. For example, if you want to take your meds every night at 10 pm, then any time between 9pm and 11pm will be fine.
im 33 weeks preg i was introduced to this pill tribuss its been 2 weeks now but i want to know must i drink them in same time like if take 6 must be 6 oclock everyday?
Hi Bheki,
Your question has already been answered here. Getting into a good routine can help you take them within the right time slot.
hi guys I’m asking about M171 what happen if you jump the time that you take it and after that you took it what’s going to happen to me.
Hi Zach, Here is this question answered by Angelina. She says, However, unprotected sex whilst you are taking PEP is not recommended. This is because you don’t know your status and you could infect your partner. That is why it is important to wait until you finish the course and have done the follow-up confirmatory test.
Hi Roy
I did take it within 48hrs Q is now can I sleep with my wife without a condom whilst on prep?
Hi Zach, Has your doctor given you Tribuss as PEP? PEP is taken for a month if you think you have been exposed to HIV. It can stop HIV if you start taking it soon after exposure – usually within 48 hours and within 72 hours. PEP is taken for a month. And then you need to take another HIV test 28 days after finishing PEP to make sure it’s worked. Alcohol doesn’t affect Tribuss.
Hi I tested for HIV n the results came out as negative but the doctor gave me tribuss to drink for a month.
Q is can I be able to sleep with my wife without a Condom? Whislt on tribuss.
Can I be able to drink alcohol while I’m on tribuss?
What does tribuss really do in a body, does it take out infection you might have occurred?
Seeing that tribuss treats HIV what does it do to me as I tested negative?
Hi Innocent, Yes, you can continue with it. Odimune and Tribuss are the same. They have different names because they are made by different companies. Here’s a link to other names for the same meds.