Question
Are these side effects from Atroiza?
13 December 2013. Related: All topics, Life expectancy, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy, Side effects.
Am a 19 yr old girl I just foundout that am HIV+ and am pregnant.
I started taking Atroiza but since I started I hardly sleep. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and have a bad headache when I ask nurse she say its part of treatment. Is it Atroiza doing this or what?
I know HIV can’t be cured and I doing this for my unborn baby because if I die who wil raised her/him?
Answer
Hello,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Finding out you are HIV positive is never easy but finding out in pregnancy can be especially hard. Do you have any support to help you deal with this?
Atroiza is a generic version of Atripla.
Atroiza contains a drug called efavirenz which has side effects that include sleep disturbance, mood changes and headaches. Usually these will improve over the first few weeks of treatment. However, some people change to a different drug because of these side effects.
It’s important to understand that these are related to your treatment, and to discuss them with your clinic if you are finding them difficult or they don’t improve. This link has more about these side effects.
You are right that we don’t have a cure for HIV. ARVs are very effective at treating HIV though and can allow you to have a long and healthy life.
With ARVs, HIV positive people have almost the same life expectancy as HIV negative people. Living with HIV isn’t something that is easy and you do need to take it seriously, but it shouldn’t stop you from doing anything in life you would have done before your diagnosis.
You may find the following links useful for more information. Do get back in touch if you have any questions.
Hi Lucy,
Yes it is. However, why would you want to take atrozia?
Hi, it is possible to take atroiza even if you are not HIV positive?
A day after contracting shingles, I wento a doctor and tested positive. At what stage does HIV shows off with shingles…concerned as am still awaiting lab results
Hi Mash,
This could have been when you were going through seroconversion. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa/284
Hi Mash,
How are you coping with your recent diagnoses? Are you able to get any support?
How did the first few nights go?
Atrozia is a generic version of Atripla. Its a very effective ARV. However, it can in some instances cause someone to experience side effects. These usually go within a few weeks. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
You may also find our starting treatment guide helpful:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I’ve been diagnosed today, HIV positive. I hope atroiza will not make my life hell. I’m going to start tonight.
Hi Gugu,
I’m sorry to hear that you aren’t doing so well. Its good though to hear that you’re on meds.
When starting ARVs it can happen that you’re OK for the first few days, then the side effects come. Though at the moment unpleasant, they should go within a few weeks. If they don’t then you should speak to your doctor.
For more info about atenef please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi,
I started my treatment 5 days ago. I was absolutely fine then, but now I can’t seem to get out of bed in the morning. I vomit and I’m nauseous till 12 – 1 midday. I’ve lost weight rapidly and I just don’t feel well. I was given atenef. Is this normal?
Hi Martha,
Because you have a rash and are taking atrozia its important that you go and see your doctor. You may need to change meds.
Dizziness is a common side effect when starting atrozia. It should though go within 2-4 weeks.
I have skin rashes on my face. I’m taking atrozia, and have been for 4 weeks. I also keep feeling dizzy.