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 use Trivenz H128 and default by not drinking properly skips long time after started drinking again so my side effects it makes me not feeling well so I want advise what time to drink during night
Hi W Koetzee,
How long have you been taking tribuss? If its for more than 2-4 weeks you may need to change your combination. Please see Q3 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Tribuss is making me very ill, I’m feeling down getting vivid dreams and no energy at all
Hi Cynthia,
Yes you need to take Tribuss every day.
How is the treatment going? Please let us know your CD4 count and viral load results.
Tribuss is used continuously?
Hi Given,
Have you finished the Tribuss now?
After one month of finishing these meds you can go to have another HIV test. This will be 95% accurate. Then after 3 months you’ll need another test to confirm a negative result.
You can ask the doctor when you should have your next HIV test. Is your boyfriend on HIV meds too? Please let us know.
Hi
I slept with my bf who is HIV positive and I was negative. The doctor prescribed tribuss for a month. Does these pills prevent HIV on negative people? Is there a possibility that I might be positive as I have never skipped the pill, I took them as per doctor’s orders. I am scared to go test now
Hi Lola,
ARVs need to be taken whole. The shouldn’t be put in water, nor cut in half. There is a risk that they won’t be effective. If you’re having issues you could try taking your med with a yoghurt.
Hi .?is it okay that I dissolve the pill in a glass of water and then drink bcoz if I just drink it it comes back n I vomit it .
Hi Liala,
Yes it’s recommended that Tribuss is taken before bedtime and on an empty stomach. This is because the main drug in tribuss is efavirenz. And its side effects can include mood changes, including anxiety and depression.
But taking Tribuss at night can reduce the side effects because you’ll be asleep when drugs levels are at the highest.
But can you talk to your doctor if these side effects are bad? You can ask if there are other meds you can switch to.