Atripla & Kaletra

[mike2002]

Is anyone else taking both Atripla and Kaletra? 

I am curious to see if anyone else on this combination has experienced magnified feelings and emotions. My guess is it is probably just self pitty but then again maybe its something like a vitamin deficiency or something like that.

Thanks
Mike

[Matty the Damned]

Hey Mike!

Welcome to the Forums.

Actually the "magnified feelings and emotions" you describe may well be caused by one of the constituents of Atripla -- namely efavirenz aka sustiva. It's a potent anti-viral but it has a long and well known history of causing mood-altering/sleep/psychiatric side effects.

Usually these side effects settle down, but in some people they can persist and become intolerable. It might be wise to ask your doctor about this.

Fond regards,

MtD

[newt]

What Matty said

But why are you taking Atripla and Kaletra

and Welcome

- matt

[Matty the Damned]

Hey yeah!

Why ARE you taking Atripla and Kaletra? Atripla is meant to be used on it's own.

MtD
(Who is suffering with the Brain Fog today)

[mike2002]

I am pretty sure the aggressive combonation is due to my lymph nodes being swollen.  My Doctor suggest discontinuing the Kaletra once my VL is undetectable and the swelling of my lymph nodes is gone.

[newt]

OK

I personally would be getting a new doc/having words since this is not at all based on evidence.  3 drugs is enough, even with swollen lymph nodes and high viral load.

Since 99% of the virus will be hammered in the first 4 weeks you might consider stopping the extra drug then.

Plus, because of an interaction between efavirenz in Atripla and Kaletra the Kaletra dose may need to be increased to be effective (usually this is by 33% - 4 capsules instead of 3 twice daily using the old gel caps formulation). Plus the Kaletra must be used 2 x day rather than 1 x day.

See http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Atripla_1577.shtml for drug interactions with Atripla.

But your magnified feelings/emotionsis the efavirenz in Atripla.  One simple alternative right now is to go for Kaletra + Truvada, which is the same combo as you are on now less efavirenz.  You will already know if Kaletra agrees with your stomach.  Its is more tablets though, but you will have a clear head.  Kaletra is a very strong drug.

Hope this helps.

- matt

[mike2002]

Thanks for your advice.  my next appt is next week and I will find out more why he thought the two pills was something smart.  I am hoping he is such a great doc on the cutting edge of technology but it doesnt sound it.