POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: tylrdrdn on October 10, 2009, 08:57:24 pm
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My doctor started me on Atripla (and Lipitor) 12 days ago. I was optimistic about the prospect of an undetectable VL. Everything was cool for the first few days...some wild dreams, but kind of entertaining.
Then on day 10 I had a serious rash on my back, underarms, thighs and neck. Called the doc and he said stop taking both meds and we'll try to see you for re-evaluation...maybe 2 or 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the rash has intensified and covers my entire body except for my face.
Has anyone else had this experience?
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It this is the drugs...
1. Rash is fairly common with efavirenz on starting, but is usually mild, severe rash was recorded in the registration studies in less than 1% of people. If this is from the efavirenz in the Atripla this may take a few days to resolve since efavirenz takes up to 3 weeks to leave your system. I personally would be cautious about restarting Atripla after a straight break. The risk of developing resistance to efavirenz when stopping outright with no short-term alternative is about 50%.
2. Lipitor is well know to cause rash in a small proportion of people, perhaps 3-4%.
Prescribing 2 new drugs which might cause rash at the same time seems kinda cavalier to me...
If the rash reaches your eyes or mouth, if it blisters and/or you get fever-like symptoms I suggest you see a doctor immediately. This is classed as an emergency situation.
Good luck, hope it goes away soon
- matt
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tylrdrdn, it is probably just a rash but I am a little surprised the doctor did not want to see you for 2 or 3 weeks?!? Me and my partner were told to immediately contact our doctor if any rash happened in the frrst few weeks. My partner is in the medical field but the doctor really demanded him to not self diagnose or treat a rash...he said "I NEED to see you physically if you get a rash". I guess some other meds are more prone to causing more serious skin issues like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) but they can happen with nay drug in any of the drug classes.
I would google SJS and TEN and make sure you do not have any of those symptoms. Here are some:
•flat or raised red spots on the skin that develop blisters in the center
•blisters in the mouth, eyes, genitals, or other moist areas of the body
•peeling skin that results in painful sores
• fever
• headache
• general ill feeling
If you are at all concerned the rash is getting worse or you have any of these symptoms do not wait for your appointment but see your doctor immediately. As Matt said it is an emergency situation. Have him paged by the on-call service if need be!
Good luck,
Steve
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I have just started Atripla, 10 days ago, and yesterday came up with a rash on my lower back, shoulders and legs. I went to see my doctor and he told me to take anti stamine and wait for 4 days. I still got the rash althou seems less severe than first day. Will wait and see what's happen. It looks like loads of people got the same reaction but it goes away after a while. Lets hope that for me and for you too! x ;)
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I had a mild rash when I started Atripla too. My Dr. gave me some Allegra to take for a while and it cleared up. I've been on Atripla for 4 months, no longer taking the Allegra and don't have a the rash anymore. I'd contact my doctor right away if the rash was bothering me as much as it appears to be bothering you.