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 have been taking ARV Tribuss for two years and undetectable for over year and a half. And cd4 is around 625-670. I am taking m d each night at mid night but I want to change the time to 6 or 7 pm and maintain that . Is it possible to change the time say from next day and stick to the new time or I have to change the time gradually like 30 minutes early each day until I reach that 5 hours time limit ( early )
Hi Dee,
Yes you can restart taking meds. The best thing to do is to book an appointment with your doctor. Ideally your doctor should check your CD4 count as well as your viral load and run some resistance tests. Until your viral load becomes undetectable again you’ll need to use condoms.
Hi my name is Derek I took tribus for two years after finding out that I am infected and stop taking the for almost a year but now am in a new relationship…can I start taking my meds? thanks
Morning Kz,
Tribuss is used to treat HIV. To prevent HIV you can take PrEP or PEP. PrEP is taken before exposure to HIV and contains two drugs. PEP is taken after exposure and contains 3 or more drugs. Tribuss should not be used as PrEP or PEP. You can read about PrEP and PEP at this link.
Morning hope you are doing well.
My question is you can use tribuss to provent HIV or is only for treatment?
Hi Kgalelelo,
There are three drugs in Tribuss, please see this link. All three drugs – efavirenz, Tenofovir DF, and FTC (emtricitabine) – are used together in one pill to treat HIV. Drugs such as Tenofovir DF and FTC can also be used to treat Hepatitis B.
what does tribuss d100 treat besides hiv and hepatitis?
Hi Tumelo,
If you want to do this you’ll probably need a prescription from the doctor. But you can contact Treatment Action Campaign. They should be able to help with information and advice for Mamelodi.
Hi my name is Tumelo from Mamelodi,can i but ARVs from a pharmacy if yes how much?
Hi Thuli,
There’s no need to take multivitamins when positive unless this has been explicitly stated by a doctor. If you’re feeling ill, then don’t take them.