Author Topic: Started Epzicom (Read 7501 times)

cwbyway102 · « **on:** August 22, 2011, 05:41:28 pm »

Hi guys,

Thought I'd post this just for info purposes.

I've been on Truvada,Reyataz and Norvir for a year and a half.My creatinine was on a slow but steady rise for the last year and is up to 1.6 so my doc has switched me off of the Truvada and onto Epzicom.Other than the rise in Creatinine I've had 0 side effects.
Last night I took my first dose of Epzicom at my regular scheduled time of 7pm.I've had no side effects so far,but I'll update this post at 2 weeks and 6 weeks.I'll get labs drawn on Sept 20th.

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2011, 09:26:14 pm »

I know someone who has been on Epzicom, Reyataz. Norvir (although you technically don't need Norvir with this combo) and he's been doing great, UD and with 1000+ T cells and zero side effects.

WillyWump · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2011, 09:34:08 pm »

I was switched from Tru to Epzicom due to Kidney issues also. Been on Epzicom for about 5 months now, no side effects, I love it. Although It was rough the first few days with vomitting and such. But that happens everytime I start a new med.

-Will

ad2san · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2011, 01:18:30 am »

Hi, I like this combo better that the one with Truvada: less trouble sleeping; finally loosing weight instead of gaining weight non stop ... More than a year after the switch no regret at all !

cwbyway102 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2011, 10:34:23 pm »

Been about a week so far.Nothing to really report except that yesterday I felt a little sore in the center of my chest and today I've had a burning sensation around the area of my liver on the right side.The only reason I mention it is because I've never had that happen before.

eric48 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:37:51 pm »

Quote from: cwbyway102 on August 28, 2011, 10:34:23 pm

a little sore in the center of my chest

I have had that and it lasted quite a bit. Hard to say whether was caused by:
- the meds
- stress desorder
- meds induced stress

Mine resolved thanks to aspirin

Quote from: cwbyway102 on August 28, 2011, 10:34:23 pm

a burning sensation

same here... was quite intense, then faded away within 2 days

if it does not go away and worsens, talk to your doctor as it could a sign for hypersensitivity with is both rare (about 1%) and potentially health threatening

Mine faded away, but, at that time was quite worried

Cheers

Eric

cwbyway102 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2011, 12:56:36 pm »

Last night,the 8th night,about 2 hours after I took my dose,I developed a rash that looked like hives on my shoulders.it lasted for a couple hours then went away.Not sure if it was caused by the Epzicom or something else.

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:22:07 pm »

Rash in the second week of Epzicom is a reason to call your doctor. It may be nothing, but if you are going to have hypersensitivity reactions that is when they show up according to the drug section here:

http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Epzicom_1580.shtml

An important side effect that doctors and patients need to be aware of is "hypersensitivity." Approximately 5 percent of people who take Ziagen (abacavir), one of the two medications in Epzicom, are allergic to it. This can be serious and generally requires that Epzicom be stopped, and that Epzicom or Ziagen should not be taken again. A hypersensitivity reaction usually appears during the second week of therapy, but it can take as long as six weeks to notice any symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever and rash, followed by headaches, stomach upset, feeling sick or tired, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms usually get worse over time and it is important that you report them to your doctor immediately. If you need to stop Epzicom because of this hypersensitivity reaction, you will still be able to take Epivir, the other drug in Epzicom.

An inexpensive laboratory test is available to look for an inherited gene, called HLA-B*5701, that has been linked to the hypersensitivity reaction in HIV-positive people taking Epzicom. While not all people with this gene experience an allergic reaction while taking Epzicom, most do. In turn, if you are tested and found to have this gene, Epzicom (or other medications containing abacavir) should either be avoided or used with caution. If you and your doctor are thinking about starting Epzicom or another abacavir-containing medication for the first time, be sure to discuss this genetic test

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2011, 08:32:22 pm »

Quote from: Assurbanipal on August 30, 2011, 03:22:07 pm

An inexpensive laboratory test is available to look for an inherited gene, called HLA-B*5701, that has been linked to the hypersensitivity reaction in HIV-positive people taking Epzicom.

This test should be performed before starting Epzicom, any doctor worth his stripes would have done that.

To the OP: do you know if your doctor performed this test before starting you on Epzicom?

cwbyway102 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:00:47 pm »

Yes I had this test done ,it was negative.I couldn't get a hold of my doctor yesterday so I took another dose as scheduled and I didn't have another hives reaction so I'm thinking the hives must've been caused by something else.

eric48 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:50:20 pm »

Quote from: cwbyway102 on August 31, 2011, 12:00:47 pm

I couldn't get a hold of my doctor yesterday ...

This is actually one complaint I have about the way initiation to Epzicom was done in my case.

In our socialized health systems, doctors have a right for extended vacation in the summer. They ALL take a leave at the same time (as if diseases occurs only during business hours...). As a result, when I was in the 'danger' time window for Abacavir (typically week 2 to eight) I realized that not only my doctor but also his replacement were overseas on vacation !

Even the nurse at the clinic.

In case of adverse effect my only option would have to run to the ER where doctors are also on vacation (only young interns remain on duty).

Statistically , if you passed the H+,??*- (can't recall the spelling) test, then adverse effect occurs in a little less than 1 %.

But still, I would hope that doctors leave instructions on how to get hold of them (or a knowledgeable replacement) when patients are at a risk which is low in occurrence but potentially lethal.

I think that I , myself, have been on the verge of SE that mimic the hypersensitivity reaction and ,as of today, still upset that in such case, I would have no one to turn to.

Good to hear that your symptoms are receding, and hopefully everything will work fine.

Despite the rough initiation period, I can vouch that, after a year into treatment, it is (now) as easy to take as aspirin or multivitamin.

keep on the look out though and take care

Cheers

Eric

cwbyway102 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2011, 03:09:53 pm »

Day 13: all day yesterday I felt like I could never get a full breath of air.I woke up this morning feeling great though.One thing thats really of concern is that since I've been taking the Epzicom I haven't been able to sustain an erection.Is that normal when switching meds?I had no problems in that area before the switch.
Anyway thanks for the input guys.

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2011, 05:46:43 pm »

You really need to write all these down (or print out this thread) and talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing. Some people move from regimen to regimen with no problems, but many don't. And if you are having odd experiences your doctor should (and probably does) want to hear about it in case it is significant.

There are certain times when things are more likely to go wrong than others. Those times include:
- when you have a really low tcell count (under 200) or percentage (under 14%)
- when you start a new drug
During those times you and your doctor need to be more vigilant than usual.

As men, we are used to not going to the doctor; it isn't even recommended that a healthy man have more than a couple of physicals between 25 and 40. And there can be a certain, macho, tough-it-out mentality.

But that was before.

Now you have a chronic disease that can kill you, and you need to be more careful with your health. If you are worried that you are seeing the doctor too often, ask him/her whether you are going more than needed. Resources are tight, they will be glad to tell you if you are acting too needy, if you invite them to give you feedback.

Sometimes erectile dysfunction problems can be symptoms of other deeper issues that affect blood flow. For me, it seems to be the norvir that has that effect; I didn't notice any effect due to Epzicom.

Be well
A

sfpvguy41 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 12, 2011, 12:46:05 am »

My doc originally switched me to epzicom around June to get the tenofovir out of my regimen as I have osteoporosis. In August I switched from Reyataz 300 with Norvir to Reyataz 400mg no Norvir. I am so happy with what is happening to my body shape, losing belly and have been able to lose weight! No Epzicom side effects at all. While it will take a while to know of any effects on bones, I think getting off the Norvir is a great reason to go from Truvada to Epzicom if you're on the same regimen and test ok to take epzicom.

Just gave blood for labs so I'll see how it's going in a few days and will post here.

sfpvguy41 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 12, 2011, 12:52:53 am »

Oops sorry I switched in April not June, time flies! But just ditched the Norvir in August.

cwbyway102 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2011, 01:04:11 pm »

Day 23:Things are going pretty good. The little effects I was having before seems to be just random.I talked with my doc the other day and he clarified a little better what side effects would be worth being worried about.
I go in next week to get my labs drawn,and if everything looks good,hopefully i'll be able to get off of the norvir.

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2011, 08:46:47 pm »

Quote from: cwbyway102 on September 12, 2011, 01:04:11 pm

Day 23:Things are going pretty good. The little effects I was having before seems to be just random.I talked with my doc the other day and he clarified a little better what side effects would be worth being worried about.
I go in next week to get my labs drawn,and if everything looks good,hopefully i'll be able to get off of the norvir.

Good plan.

sfpvguy41 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 15, 2011, 09:21:10 pm »

Just got labs back and am pretty happy with the results on Epzicom, and 400mg Reyataz with no Norvir.

CD4s are at an almost all time high of 758, CD8s were up to 944 (still too high I think) and undetectable.

You mentioned Creatinine, which was a problem for me in Jan/Feb also. Since February it has fallen from 1.38 to just now 1.17. Liver #s are good too.

I hope results work out well for you too! The results are good, and the best part of the Epzicom to me is being able to get off the Norvir.

cwbyway102 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2011, 01:07:35 pm »

Sorry it took so long for an update.The epzicom is working out great.Doc said I could drop the Norvir if I wanted,though I think I'll keep on the Norvir till I at least break 300cd4s.
I have had no side effects whatsoever.The first couple weeks were a little bumpy but as someone said its almost like taking asprin now.I'm feeling better than ever.Basically I feel like I'm back to normal again.
The only thing to report is that my labs were taken 30 days after I switched to the epzicom and my creatinin was up to 1.71 thats a jump from 1.65.
My doc said that after 30 days off the Truvada,he didn't expect for my creatinin to come down just yet,so we'll have to wait til the next labs to see if the Truvada was the real culprit.

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Author Topic: Started Epzicom (Read 7501 times)