Question
How long does dizziness with Tribuss last?
17 December 2013. Related: All topics, Side effects.
Hi I started Tribuss three days ago.
I just want to long know how long does dizzness takes because I’m I work night shift sometimes.
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your email.
Tribuss is a generic version of Atripla.
Tribuss contains three ARVs- efavirenz, tenofovir and FTC. The dizziness you are experiencing is a common side effect of efavirenz.
Usually this will improve after the first few weeks of treatment. Efavirenz may be a difficult drug if you work shifts that require sometimes working days and sometimes working nights. This is becasue most people routinely take efavirenz before they sleep.
If this dizziness is affecting your ability to work, or making it dangerous to do so, it’s important to talk to your clinic about this. There are alternative drugs that may be more appropriate with your shift patterns.
There is more information about efavirenz side effects here.
Kat-Le Go
I am HIV negative and my doctor recommended me Tribuss, because my partner is take Adco emtevir And Truvada I don’t know why is he using them. I feel depressed after taking Tribuss And in the morning I feel nausea.
Hi Esethu,
It’s very possible that you’re having issues due to the efavirenz that are in meds that you’re taking (I’m assuming that you’re taking Tribuss due to the post). If this is the case, the best thing to do is to ask your doctor if you can change to another combination. There’s more info about this here, see Q3: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi im Esethu im taking ARVS but what im suffering at is dizziness since i started using them im about to finish a month now, im not getting better im taking them by 21:00 i had rash in hands for few days bt this dizziness does not stop and i cannot not do nothing, i feel like im drunk
Hi Zweli,
Many of us have mild side effects for the first few weeks of HIV treatment. And these usually go away. But disturbed sleep and mood changes are a reported side effect of Efavirenz which is part of Tribuss.
But if the mood swings and insomnia don’t get better you can ask your doctor to switch meds. You can ask for something that’s easier for you to take.
Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know what they are.
Hi. I am Zweli
So I am on day #3 with Tribuss I have heartburn, insomnia, dizziness and mood swings. From earlier comments I know now that the dizziness will go but what do I do with mood swings? Can I take sleeping tablets for insomnia?
Hi Ongenziwe,
If you’re taking Tribuss (which is a generic version of Atripla) then the side effects that you’re experiencing as common. Please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/1561 These should go within a few weeks. If you’re working nights, the best thing to do would be to ask if you can change to a different combination and one that doesn’t contain efavirenz.
Am starting ARVs on monday but after couple hours I feel dizzy and go to bed but in the morning I feel like this pill is stack in my throat and am tired and weak what can I do and am working night shifts on weekends
Hi Sylvester,
Taking the meds at 9pm won’t be the reason why you’re feeling weak. If you’re feeling weak, please see a doctor.
Hi I started taken dolutegravir 50 mg, lamivudine 300 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg, since 2nd December by 9am but it was difficult for me because of my work schedule so I change the time to 9pm but now I am feeling weak and I am loosing weight what should I do please or I should go back to the former time
Hi Zanele,
Are you taking Tribuss? Feeling dizzy is a reported side effect of Tribuss. But usually this will improve after the first few weeks of treatment.
However, if it doesn’t improve you can talk to your doctor about changing treatment. There can be other HIV meds that will be easier for you to take.
It sounds good that you’ve started ARVs and TB prevention meds. And good too that you had the rash checked out by the doctor.
But do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know and tell us how it’s going.