Complera rash. Anyone with experience of knowledge?

[lonbjny]

Hi,

I am on day 5 of Complera. I switched from Atripla due to mind fog and concentration problems.

I have broken out in a burning rash this afternoon. I immediately took benadryl and it has improved by this evening. I had been warned about rash on atripla but only had the very mildest of skin flushing. I have not been warned about rash on complera so am concerned. I have just taken my evening dose of complera. I cannot get to a doctor til Tuesday because of the holiday, should I be concerned or should I not take the dose tomorrow? Anyone with any experience of this?

Thanks

[buginme2]

I would continue on the Benadryl and would not skip the Complera.

Also try calling your doctor tomorrow, even though its a holiday they should have someone on call that should call you back and talk you through what to do.

[lonbjny]

Hi,

Just thought I would continue to share my experience. I called the emergency helpline at my doctors and was told to stop taking complera immediately and see my doctor on Tuesday (closed Monday due to holiday).

As this is my second regimen after stopping Atripla (which I was on for 5 months) I decided that I, personally, was not prepared to stop for 2 days and risk resistance. I am not advocating other people to ignore a doctors advice. The complera so far has been so much better than atripla that I wanted to carry on. In addition after taking benadryl (50 mg every 4 hours) the rash was reducing.

Today I woke up and the rash is mainly gone, despite being quite shocking looking yesterday. Whew, big difference.

So I am continuing to take complera, taking claritin during the day and benadryl at night for the next few days.

People should continue to listen to their doctor, I don't know what will happen next but I am comfortable with the choices I am making for myself and hoping for the best on Complera