Just started meds today

[ocguy79]

Tested poz in March 09 and just started my meds today.
Since my insurance did not cover HIV meds, I was approved for ADAP and started Truvada, Isentress and Kaletra.
I wanted to know if it matters if I take them in the morning or night.

Thanks

[Ann]

oc,

As one of the meds in your combo is Isentress, you're going to have to take meds in the morning AND night. Isentress is twice daily dosing and should be taken once every twelve hours. Your Kaletra may also be twice daily - what did your doctor tell you? What's written on the bottle? Some people take Kaletra twice daily, some once daily.

Truvada is once daily. When you take the Truvada (morning or night) is up to you, but once you choose which time to take it, you'll have to stick to that time as it should be taken once every 24 hours.

You can read about your meds by going to the Treatments section of this website.

ann

[markaj]

I'm on Truvada and Isentress and I've been on Kaletra before.

I took my Kaletra 12 hours apart - 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills in the evening, with the Truvada in the evening as well.  i now do exactly the same with Truvada and Isentress.

When I was on Kaletra my ID doctor did say i could take all 4 pills in one go once a day, BUT for some people this means more side effects, especially GI ones, so I stuck with twice a day. 

It doesn't matter whether you take the Truvada in the morning or evening but whatever you decide obviously stick with as Ann rightly says.  I would also recommend taking Truvada with some food, a lot of people, me included, get flatulence if it's not taken with food.  Hope this helps. 

[Inchlingblue]

It looks very promising that in the future, maybe even very soon, Isentress will be once a day but for now it is twice a day.

I set two alarms on my cell phone as a reminder and it works very well, been 100% adherent.

ANN: Did you hear Isentress is now approved in Europe for treatment-naives?

LINK (for once-daily Isentress study):

http://www.poz.com/articles/hiv_isentress_raltegravir_761_17251.shtml

[ocguy79]

Good thing I read the bottles!
I take 3 in the morning and 4 at night.
Doc is just pushing me towards undetectable. Of course I wont be taking this combo for long.

oc,

As one of the meds in your combo is Isentress, you're going to have to take meds in the morning AND night. Isentress is twice daily dosing and should be taken once every twelve hours. Your Kaletra may also be twice daily - what did your doctor tell you? What's written on the bottle? Some people take Kaletra twice daily, some once daily.

Truvada is once daily. When you take the Truvada (morning or night) is up to you, but once you choose which time to take it, you'll have to stick to that time as it should be taken once every 24 hours.

You can read about your meds by going to the Treatments section of this website.

ann

[ocguy79]

I have notice the change of smell and color of what comes out my backside. Those Kaletra pills are huge! Thanks for the advice!

I'm on Truvada and Isentress and I've been on Kaletra before.

I took my Kaletra 12 hours apart - 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills in the evening, with the Truvada in the evening as well.  i now do exactly the same with Truvada and Isentress.

When I was on Kaletra my ID doctor did say i could take all 4 pills in one go once a day, BUT for some people this means more side effects, especially GI ones, so I stuck with twice a day. 

It doesn't matter whether you take the Truvada in the morning or evening but whatever you decide obviously stick with as Ann rightly says.  I would also recommend taking Truvada with some food, a lot of people, me included, get flatulence if it's not taken with food.  Hope this helps. 

[megasept]

Since my insurance did not cover HIV meds ... started Truvada, Isentress and Kaletra.
I wanted to know if it matters if I take them in the morning or night.

  : Insurance that doesn't cover HIV meds? (US can do better than that, so LOBBY now, friends!)...BUT back to the subject...

Me: Isentress +Truvada 7 am; Isentress again, 7 pm

My reason for taking Truvada early is I'd like to get the hardest part of my meds out of the way early in my day---while I am busy---not at leisure. This is a very effective combo (I'm not taking Kaletra or any other ARV). You ought to do well.

Good Health!   -megasept