Question
Could changing from Atripla to Tribuss have caused my viral load to increase?
18 May 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, South Africa.
During my last test (6 months ago) my VL was less than 40.
Three months ago, my medical aid changed my medication from Atripla to Tribuss and have been taking my medication regurlaly as required.
I just received my latest test results now and my VL is 686. Could the change of medication have caused the VL to increase? Is it normal that it would increase so significantly in such a small period of time?
What could have caused the VL to increase so much?
Answer
Tribuss is a generic version of the brand name drug Atripla. They contain the same chemical properties and it is unlikely that swapping from one to the other would cause a change in how effective they treatment was.
Your doctor will need to find out why your viral load has increased and if this is a real result. How are you doing with taking your meds? These drugs are usually able to keep viral load undetectable if you are careful to take them at the same time every day. Are you taking any other medications that might be affecting your drug levels?
It’s important to have a second test to confirm these results. This is because there is a possibility that this could be a temporary blip or a lab error, and this needs to be checked before any change of treatment is made.
Did your clinic draw blood for another test when you received your last test results?
If the second test result shows that your viral load has increased your doctor will probably discuss the options for changing treatment. If possible you should have a resistance test to see if you have developed resistance to any of the drugs in your combination.
Please take a look at this link for more information about viral load tests and changing treatment.
Hi Rebecca, these two combinations you have mentioned are generally considered the same. This is because the difference between the two is between one containing emtricibabine and the other lamivudine. These two medications work in the same way. Did your doctor mentioned anything about your health or a reason of change?
Is your viral load currently suppressed? If your medication is switched while your viral load is being suppressed there is no risk of resistance. This is because the medication will work the same way and still manage HIV and keep your viral load low.