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 have been given Tribuss as PEP is it possible that tribuss can work as PEP if you started within 72 hours
Hi Bonny,
I’m sorry to hear the pharmacy are late with your delivery of Trivenz. If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign at this link to their contact page. They can help with local support.
Please see the doctor about your boils and black spots. It’s a good idea to ask for these painful pimples to be looked at by a doctor.
Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know.
I am taking Trivenz from pharmacy but it is delayed to be delivered am late for about 4 days,should i be worried about defaulting? And i have developed small painful pimples like boils on my body,on and off living black spotz,help me
Hi Precious,
What was your CD4 count when you were diagnosed? How long have you been on meds for, 8 what? Do you know what your viral load is?
Hi guys
I have been on Tribuss for 8 now, I went to my doctor for blood tests and to my surprise my CD 4 was 31. The problem was that I have no signs of CD4 count of 31and my doctor said it’s maybe human error from the lab. Is that possible? But I don’t have a problem with my body except for fatigue. Please help
Hi Blessing,
Its possible that you are feeling like this due to the efavirenz that are in your meds. You’re going to need to talk to your doctor about this. Let them know that you’re feeling like this, especially the mood changes.
Hi Blessing,
It’s possible that you’re feeling like this due to the efavirenz that are in your combination. Please discuss this with a doctor.
Hi Pretty M,
Tribuss is another name for Atroiza. They have diferent names because they are made by different companies. Please see this link to many other names for this pill.
However, if you have a rash, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor to look at it, and find out what’s causing it.
I was diagnosed with HIV last month and I started my treatment after a they did blood test..I was given Atroiza. this month when I went to fetch my meds they gave me Tribuss…
I’m now delevoping rash..should I be worried or not?
Hi Chyne,
Taking HIV meds for a month after possible exposure is called PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis). After finishing your course of PEP you need to wait 28 days for another HIV test to make sure it’s worked to stop HIV infection.
There’s more about PEP, and PrEP, at this link.