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.
I’m on tribuss treatment & novavit plus, but the multivitamins are making me sick, which makes my day difficult. Wat must i Do, it’s been three weeks now. On treatment. But I have stoped taking my multivitamin. Is tat dangerous?
Dear Miss T,
Your comment is on a question about Tribuss. Are they the ARVs you are taking? You can read about possible side effects at this link.
But you can talk to your doctor about changing ARVs if Tribuss is causing these side effects. You can ask if there are other ARVs that might be better for you and easier to take.
Dear doctor . I’ve have bin hiv positive for 9 years now and never got sick so recently as its getting to my 10th I started loosening weight and decided to start taking treatment but after I started taking treatment I’m now not feeling well everyday and I’m not getting better . I’m more sick after taking treatment than before and they told me that my CD is still high but have to take ARVs. Please help I’m loosing memory , don’t have appiate and feel somehow everyday sinces I started taking the Arvs . I don’t smoke or drink alcohol I make sure I sleep enough but I’m still feeling the same way sinces I started taking treatment . What could be wrong ?
Hi Toga,
If he’s taking Tribuss his viral load result can be undetectable. And Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) means that HIV cannot be transmitted even without condoms. Please read more about U=U here. You can talk to the doctor about your Trivenz and if this has been given to you as PEP, please see PEP in this guide. Here’s a link to info about Trivenz and Tribuss.
My girlfriend confess that he is Hiv Positive after sleeping with him for several times after I found the Tribuss pills in his bag and now the Dr prescribed for me Trivenz and it was after 72 hours and last time I checked my status I was Hiv negative.
Is it still gonna work for me?
Hi Lebo,
Here is another answer about gaining weight when starting HIV treatment (ART). As it says, once ART starts to reduce your viral load, your body no longer needs as much energy fighting HIV. Even if you are not eating more food, the rate at which you burn it has changed and this could mean there is some weight gain.
Please ask your doctor whether your symptoms are more likely to be a side effect than normal ‘return-to-health’ weight gain.
There’s more information on fat acculumulation here.
I have been using tribuss for over a year now and I am gaining weight every day,what should I do?
Hi Comfort,
There are a lot of ARVs on the market. However what you’ll be offered will depend on where you live.
As you have a rash its important to discuss this with your doctor. It could be just a mild reaction to the Tribuss or as you’ve said you could be allergic to it.
Hi um Hiv positive n pregnant and the doctor prescribed me tribuss but it seems I am allergic to it cos I started developing some sort of a rush….is there another Arv out there I can use beside tribuss?
Hi Gareth,
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. Its an excellent ARV and is used by a lot of people who are positive. A rise in CD4 count from 30 to 80 since March is great. This means that the meds are working, and working really well. You’re doing so well.