Q and A

Question

Why have I been given Tribuss – is this an ARV?

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.

363 comments

  1. Wanda

    Hi
    Please help, I have been using Tribuss with multivitamins for years now. I have no side effects. But now I would like to use Triphasil just to balance my hormones with my Tribus and my Multivitamins. I take my Tribuss every night, then my Multivitamins every morning. I would like to take Triphasil at night also, maybe same time as Tribuss.
    Is Triphasil good with Tribuss?
    Pls help

  2. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Glenda,

    Is your husband using ARVs? If he is and his viral load is undetectable you don’t need to take any form of ARVs.

    The meds that you’re referring to aren’t PrEP. They are used to treat HIV, not prevent it.

  3. Glenda

    hi

    My Husband is HIV positive and he is on medication ,Am HIV negative and they given me M171 ,Is this pills working as a PreP.

    Please advice

  4. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Granny,

    For us to be able to help you, we need to know what the names of your meds are/were.

  5. Granny

    hi I used to drink then the pink pill for HIV now they’re changing to the white one so I was just want to know or what is the difference between the white ones and the the old one that I was used they think they said they just removed the the one pill from that other pink package so now it’s white just wanted to know what is the different thank you

  6. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Zandile,

    In the UK were i-based are based you wouldn’t be given Tribuss for PEP, however in some countries this is given.

  7. Zandile

    Can tribuss be used as pep?

  8. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Phumza M.

    if your partner is taking ARVs and their viral load is undetectable, there’s no risk. Please see here: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ You may need to ask him.

  9. Phumza M

    Hi

    I have recently found out that my partner of 1 year is taking the D100 pink pill (tribuss). I actually found out when he was taking it but he hid it from me. We have been having unprotected sex, am I at risk of being infected and should I be worried?

  10. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Olga,

    The medication that you’re taking is known to cause side effects, this is why it’s recommended to take it in the evening. If you were having issues with your medication whilst taking them in the evening, it’s very likely that you’ll also have issues in the morning.

    The best thing to do is to ask your doctor to change you to a medication that doesn’t contain efavirenz, this should make a difference.

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