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Author Topic: Taking Atripla and empty stomach  (Read 12282 times)

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Offline SourPatchKid

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  • Posts: 5
Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« on: July 23, 2009, 11:48:36 pm »
What are the down sides of taking Atripla on a full stomach? I know it says to take it on an empty stomach, however if I am hungry I don't care what time of the day it is, I just eat.


Offline positivmat

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2009, 08:35:09 am »
It bothered me during the first few weeks but now I eat before and after the atripla. I don't notice it at all. How long have u been taking it?

Offline SourPatchKid

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2009, 10:43:25 am »
It bothered me during the first few weeks but now I eat before and after the atripla. I don't notice it at all. How long have u been taking it?

A little over a year now.  For some reason lately I have been forgetting to take it, even after I take it I can't remember if I did or not. I am going to get one of those 30 day pill storage things to try to make things easier.

Offline Luke

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2009, 10:52:23 am »
After a year I think you can feel pretty confident about giving yourself the room to experiment with both eating and taking Atripla whenever in the day suits your routine the best / makes it easier for you remember to take it.

Pill boxes are handy. In my experience, just the fact that you have something there that you can check makes it easier to remember and less likely that you will actually need it.

Offline mecch

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2009, 12:06:02 pm »
Full stomach increases absorption of the drugs.

Full stomach and bedtime isn't the most recommended combination - but take it anyway if that is your situation no big deal.

My doc recommended taking it with a "light" snack

“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline positivmat

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2009, 02:31:53 pm »
Is increased absorption a bad thing or does it just make it possibly uncomfortable?  My understanding was that it wasn't reducing the effectiveness but just causing an amplification of the side effects. Would like to know what others know about this.
Matt

Offline Luke

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2009, 03:03:20 pm »
Is increased absorption a bad thing or does it just make it possibly uncomfortable?  My understanding was that it wasn't reducing the effectiveness but just causing an amplification of the side effects. Would like to know what others know about this.
Matt

You are quite right, it doesn't reduce the effectiveness - nor does it increase the effectiveness.

When you are acclimatising yourself to the drug, the greater the level the more likely you are to experience an amplification of side-effects; but once you are settled with the drugs there is a good chance you wont really notice much if you have food in your stomach. I certainly don't.   

Offline jayjax

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2009, 10:53:06 pm »
I agree with you Luke.

I had this conversation with my ID doc as it was a concern of mine too.  Told me it doesn't matter.   I tend to agree with you in that once the drug is in your system it doesn't matter.  I like a light snack before I go to bed and I have no side affects. I've been on Atripla since Nov 08.

JayJax
08 Oct 08:  Diagnosed
18 Oct 08:  1st Lab Work: CD4 - 268, VL 7,000
18 Nov 08:  Started Atripla
28 Jan 09:   CD4 - 195, VL 70
05 May 09:  CD4 - 201, VL = Undetectable
16 Aug 09: CD4 - 235, VL = Undetectable
30 Nov 09 CD4 - 300, VL = Undetectable
30 Mar 10 CD4 - 305, VL = Undetectable
27 Jul 10 CD4 -  301, VL = 100
13 Aug 10 -- Switched to Truvada/Reyataz/Norvir
30 Sep 10 --  CD4 598, VL = Undetectable

Offline knittygritty

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2009, 04:40:04 pm »
 I found that you have to find what works for you with Atripla. They started me out at the hospital at night and being that I was on a feeding tube it didn't matter.  That was starting December of '06.
 Now I take it in the evening (5:30 to be exact) I find that I still get nauseous if I take it too near meals. I sometimes have a little snack a few crackers or a piece of bread if I start to feel icky. As far as the side effects (vivid dreams mostly) that went away before I even got out of the hospital.
 You really have to find what works best for you. 
I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me. It'll happen to you.  - Grandpa Simpson
  I knit, therefore I am  -  Me

Offline milker

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2009, 11:58:04 am »
A little over a year now.  For some reason lately I have been forgetting to take it, even after I take it I can't remember if I did or not. I am going to get one of those 30 day pill storage things to try to make things easier.

I take it at 7pm every day. I have an alarm on my phone to remind me. Each time I take the pill, I put the pill container back in the closet upside down, so if I'm wondering if I took it, I check in the closet, if it's upside down then I know I took it. Every morning when I brush my teeth I put it back the opposite way. If I'm not going to be home at 7pm I take a pill with me, when the alarm goes off I take the pill, then text message myself saying that I took it.

As for the original question, if I took the pill at the same time I ate (within an hour) I would feel drunk for about 30mn. This was during the first few month, and hasn't happened anymore. I try to avoid eating at the same time anyway, but sometimes it's unavoidable.

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline David_CA

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  • Joined: March 2006
Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2009, 12:41:56 pm »
I take Atripla first thing in the morning.  I don't sleep-eat, so that's the emptiest my stomach's going to be all day!  After I take it, I usually have a VERY light snack (lately a small low fat granola bar).  The only effects I ever notice are if I go back to bed like on a non-work day.  I'll have a few funky dreams, but that's all.
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline rtony123

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #12 on: August 05, 2009, 12:22:44 am »
my friends,

in the long run, what matters is that you take every day. some days you can take it after a meal and sometimes you take it when you remember.

the important thing is that you take it every day no matter what.

nothing bad happens if you take it and you haven't eaten.

for me, sometimes i have vivid dreams if i eat  than take my pill  right away before i go to bed.

Best bet - take it right you go to bed.

God bless and good luck.


Offline GNYC09

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  • Posts: 702
Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #13 on: August 05, 2009, 08:04:43 am »
I've been on Atripla about 4 months now and still can't have any food with a high fat content within 2 or 3 hours of taking the pill (before bed).  If I do, I wake up feeling hungover.  I can have a non-fatty snack but not the fatty foods.  Maybe this will pass with time.  Sadly, my nightly dreams are fading away...

Offline jayjax

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  • Posts: 83
Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2009, 12:01:18 pm »
Been on Atripla since Nov 08.
I currently take it before I go to bed.  I agree  and my doc confirmed --  it doesn't matter if you take it on an empty stomach, especially if you have no adverse reactions.  Everyone will react to the drug differently --- The most important thing to remember is to take it EVERY DAY as prescribed and as close to the same time everyday.

Although I don't eat much food with a high fat content, I have heard from others that this can elevate the sustiva levels. But a healthy snack before bed has never had a negative reactions for me.

To ensure i take it every day, I ended up buying a "once a day pill box" that runs on a weekly cycle.  Its a matter of routine that I've associated it with brushing my teeth.  Once I couldn't remember if I took it after going to bed -- the pill box eliminated that now since each day is marked.

Hope this helps,

Later,
Jayjax.
08 Oct 08:  Diagnosed
18 Oct 08:  1st Lab Work: CD4 - 268, VL 7,000
18 Nov 08:  Started Atripla
28 Jan 09:   CD4 - 195, VL 70
05 May 09:  CD4 - 201, VL = Undetectable
16 Aug 09: CD4 - 235, VL = Undetectable
30 Nov 09 CD4 - 300, VL = Undetectable
30 Mar 10 CD4 - 305, VL = Undetectable
27 Jul 10 CD4 -  301, VL = 100
13 Aug 10 -- Switched to Truvada/Reyataz/Norvir
30 Sep 10 --  CD4 598, VL = Undetectable

Offline GNYC09

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #15 on: August 09, 2009, 05:26:21 pm »
I've been experimenting this past week with eating around the time I take my Atripla.  I still wake up wiped out if I have fatty food around the time I take my Atripla.  But now I now can have a light snack of non-fatty foods with it (banana + fat-free kefir last night).  Thankfully, I now don't have to go to bed hungry anymore!  whew!

Offline jayjax

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Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #16 on: August 16, 2009, 08:25:16 am »
Glad to hear this GNYC09.  Confirms my understanding and may help others, especially those of us who take Atripla before bed and also need a snack before bed :) .... Just stay away from the high fat content !!
08 Oct 08:  Diagnosed
18 Oct 08:  1st Lab Work: CD4 - 268, VL 7,000
18 Nov 08:  Started Atripla
28 Jan 09:   CD4 - 195, VL 70
05 May 09:  CD4 - 201, VL = Undetectable
16 Aug 09: CD4 - 235, VL = Undetectable
30 Nov 09 CD4 - 300, VL = Undetectable
30 Mar 10 CD4 - 305, VL = Undetectable
27 Jul 10 CD4 -  301, VL = 100
13 Aug 10 -- Switched to Truvada/Reyataz/Norvir
30 Sep 10 --  CD4 598, VL = Undetectable

Offline WildcatCC

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  • Posts: 91
Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #17 on: October 01, 2009, 01:17:56 pm »
Damn .. you all are giving me hope that I don't need to wait for my stomach to be empty! Taking it at bedtime is a much better option for me but have always been concerned (at the prodding of my doc) to not do so if I've eaten dinner within a 2 hour window. I'll check in with her again armed with this vital info you've shared. Thx!

ps .. but darn those vivid dreams are awesome!  ;D
Apr  08 - Diagnosed
Apr  08  cd4 8, vl 150k
Meds: Prezista/Norvir/Truvada
June 08 cd4 250, vl 1600
Aug  08 cd4 275, vl 450
Meds: Atripla
Nov  08  cd4  386, vl 255
Jan   09  cd4  415, vl 2100 (spike?)
Feb   09  cd4 460, vl 212
May   09  cd4 515, vl 1200
Aug   09  cd4 717, vl 1535 % 23
Sept  09  cd4 535  vl 1710 % 18
Oct   09  genotype shows mutation. Discussing w/ ID Doc
Nov  09   cd4 480  vl 650   % 19
Dec  09 genotype slight mutation to Epivir and Retrovir
Jan 10   cd4 508 vl 250 (21%)  low vitamin d - on supplement 2000 iu/day
Mar 15 Change to Isentress and Truvada
May 5 cd4 498 vl 1485
June 16 cd4 550 vl undect!!!! (finally dammit)

Offline ruralguy

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  • Posts: 141
Re: Taking Atripla and empty stomach
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2009, 08:49:40 am »
I took my pill last night with a snack and, as suggested here, no gas.  AND I slept the whole night through without waking for the first time since my diagnosis.  Taking it with food didn't have any dream effects that I'm aware of.  I'm definitely better rested and don't feel bloated.  And better rested means I'm in a better mood and have more energy. 

Thanks for the insights guys, Dave
tested positive June 19, 2009
7/3/09 vrl 9000 cd4 - 300
8/14/09 cd4 - 350, 20%
started Atripla 9/14/09
10/5/09 vrl undetectable, WOW so fast!
12/28/09 vrl undetectable, CD4 - 615  27% cholesterol down, kidney function normal
4/26/10 vrl undetectable, CD4-600, kidney and liver numbers normal
9/9/10 vrl undetectable, CD4-685
1/3/11 vrl undetectable, CD4-700
all 2011 and Jan 2012 visits vrl undetectable CD4 ranged from 715-645
5/7/2012  vrl undetectable, CD4-615, all liver, kidney, lipids, heart functions, etc normal


On Atripla:  "Your mileage may vary"

 


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