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 Don,
To reduce the risk of side effects, its recommended that you take tribuss in the evening, or before you go to bed. However, it is up to you when you take your meds. The main thing is that you take them daily, as prescribed. If you haven’t had any side effects then you should be ok.
I have started tribuss four days ago at 8pm. I am working at night tonight and I do my work standing and walking around. Can I still take them at 8pm?
Hi Mickey.
How long have you been on tribuss for?
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla. Stinky breath is not known to be one of its side effects. Please see:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
For the past 2 weeks….I am experiencing stinky breath 24 hours…am on tribuss and multi vitamins…WHy is it happening.
Hi Amarru, this is something to discuss with your girlfriend. Stigma and prejudice can make it difficult for people to talk about HIV. Effective HIV treatment also protects the HIV negative partner, making it very difficult to transmit HIV, even if you are not using condoms. Please see this link:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study
hi guys my girlfriend hav been taking this Citenvir and ds 24 since from 2014 and she been hiding them does this mean she’s HIV+ ?
Hi Mickey, thanks for letting us know. You have had a perfect response to treatment. so long as you are good with taking your meds you can use then fro many years.
Hello everyone just wanna thank u all for the advices…i started taking ARV’s last year and yesterday my CD4 count was 750 and viral load is less than 20..and i make sure that i eat healthy and drink my meds everyday…wow i thank u guys
Hi Tshepo, this is something to discuss with your gf. Stigma and prejudice can make it difficult for people to talk about HIV. Effective HIV treatment also protect the HIV negative partner, making it very difficult to transmit HIV, even if you are not using condoms. Please see this link:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study
Hi guys i hav a situation here,my gf is taking tribuss pills nd she hides them frm me.i hapn to see them while cleaning,so my question is does dat mean she is Hiv+?cause i got testd last mnth nd m fine.thanx