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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: winter on March 30, 2010, 03:41:32 am

Title: Please give the advise
Post by: winter on March 30, 2010, 03:41:32 am

Hello everyone. I'm going to start ARV treatment next month. But there is not Emtriva that available in my country so is it safe for me to start EFV+ 3TC+TDF? Look forward to hearing from all friends on the forum. Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: Assurbanipal on March 30, 2010, 07:35:46 am

That's a very close combination to what is in Atripla, which is one of the most often used starting combo's out there.  The only difference is that Atripla uses FTC instead of 3TC.  But FTC and 3TC are quite like each other, so you will probably have similar experiences to people starting Atripla.

It is usually very successful at fighting the virus.  It does have some side effects that are pretty common for the first few days though.  You might want to read the lessons for starting Sustiva (EFV) and check out some of the Atripla threads on here.

Best

A

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: Inchlingblue on March 30, 2010, 05:07:19 pm

See the link below for Dr. Gallant's opinion. Apparently it's not ideal but it's acceptable.

LINK:

http://www.hopkins-hivguide.org/q_a/patient/antiretroviral_therapy/antiretroviral_agents/nucleoside_and_nucleotide_reverse_transcriptase_inhibit/tdf___3tc_vs._tdf_ftc.html?contentInstanceId=447095&siteId=7151

As opposed to Emtricitabine and lamivudine, which is not a good idea.

LINK:

http://www.hopkins-hivguide.org/q_a/patient/antiretroviral_therapy/antiretroviral_agents/nucleoside_and_nucleotide_reverse_transcriptase_inhibit/new_nrti_combination_.html?contentInstanceId=516879&siteId=7151

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: newt on March 30, 2010, 05:57:03 pm

Whatever Dr Gallant says, yes it's safe. If you want to be belt and braces, do the 3TC bit 2 x day until you are undetectable (viral load under 50 copies).

- matt

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: Inchlingblue on March 30, 2010, 06:05:13 pm

Quote from: newt on March 30, 2010, 05:57:03 pm

Whatever Dr Gallant says, yes it's safe.

He didn't say it wasn't.

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: winter on May 11, 2010, 11:32:26 am

That's mean it's safe or not?

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: Inchlingblue on May 11, 2010, 12:15:09 pm

Quote from: winter on May 11, 2010, 11:32:26 am

That's mean it's safe or not?

Yes, it is safe.

Title: Re: Please give the advise
Post by: winter on May 17, 2010, 02:49:43 am

Thank you very much for your encouragement. I'm planning for it now :)