First time meds : Complera + Isentress

[2manyquestions]

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed about 6 months back, now I have a bottle of Complera and Isentress, ready to start meds for the first time.  Not sure what to expect but I couldn't find much info on using these two (or really four) meds together, anyone else tried this?

My doc said to use them at the same time and once my high viral load goes down (last at 300k), I would just use the complera.

Just a little nervous getting started, especially since I can't find any info on them being used together, does this seem OK?

[wylidas]

Your doc most likely wants to get your VL below 100,000 to do just the Complera, since COmplera is not recommended for new patients with viral loads over 100k.
The studies showed that you may be less likely to remain undetectable with Complera alone if your VL is over 100k. So it sounds like your doc is trying to double up on regimens to get it under control.

But that being said, I am not so sure I would take all those together. Isentress is an integrase inhibitor and Complera contains Edurant which is another new integrase inhibitor approved last year. Taking them both together seems strange to me. I'd check with another doc or a pharmacist before taking. It would seem to make more sense for your doctor to try Truvada + Isentress first by itself then once your VL is lower, then maybe switch you to Complera. But I am no doctor, so I'd get a few opinions before starting this regimen.

[newt]

Edurant is a non–nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).

There are no interactions to speak of with this combo. Isentress + Truvada alone should reduce your viral load real quick, then you can if you like switch to 1 x day Edurant + Truvada ie Complera. But you can take the whole caboodle together to start with if you like.

As wylidas says, your viral load needs to be below 100k before Complera alone is a viable option.

- matt

[wylidas]

Newt is right. Thanks for the correction. Edurant is more like a 2nd generation Intelence. I guess there would be no harm in taking them together, I just have never heard of doing this from any doctor before, and my theory is the fewer meds the better as less side effects and less chance for interactions.

To the OP, I would talk about it with your doctor and do what feels right for you.

[Cojo]

I have taken Isentress and Truvada (two of the three drugs in Complera) and never had a side effect after the first 24 hours. I am sure your quad combo will beat the sh%t out of the bug in no time to undetectable.

[2manyquestions]

Thanks everyone, I started these meds 5 days ago... so far just the standard side effects : insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, tired, etc. I don't feel great but I didn't feel great before I began either... with my VL at 370K and CD4 at 271, I suppose that's no surprise.  I just really hope this does the trick.

I'll keep posting to let everyone know how this combo works.

[Hellraiser]

Nevermind.

[2manyquestions]

I am sure your quad combo will beat the sh%t out of the bug in no time to undetectable.

You weren't kidding... 4 1/2 weeks and VL was reduced to only 1K (from 370K), CD4 up slightly and ratio up quite a bit. 

I felt physically better in about 10 days.  Everything is still slowly improving.  I'm starting to feel like myself again.

 I would recommend it thus far, it's doing what it's supposed to be doing (albeit with some minor side effects).  Still having trouble with sleep and body aches.