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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: scotty54 on September 26, 2012, 11:24:46 am

Title: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on September 26, 2012, 11:24:46 am
Hey all.  Swapped out Atripla for Complera more than 2 weeks ago.

Noticed initial improvement in the first 5 days.  Sleep improvement, less brain fogginess and less of that head spin.  Now it seems the Sustiva seems to want to hang in there. Maybe the rilpivirine is not that different than the stocrin??

History....6 yrs Atripla....good labs....but in last 6 months or so.....sleep had become more and more difficult and it seemed I was never falling into that deep level of sleep that makes one feel fit. ??? Ambien use increased...altho was not out of control.

Perhaps just need to tuff it out.  Complera seems a better fit (pending labs of course.)   Have any of you had similar experiences with Atripla/Complera switch?

THX :)
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: Ann on September 26, 2012, 11:39:55 am
Scotty,

Stocrin (aka Sustiva, aka efavirenz) (http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Sustiva_1615.shtml) is in the same class as rilpivirine (aka Edurant) (http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Edurant_1619.shtml) and the two share some side-effects. From the Edurant information page I just linked you to:

"Edurant can cause depression or mood changes. Be sure to contact your health care provider immediately if you are feeling sad or hopeless, feeling anxious or restless, or have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself.

Common side effects of Edurant include trouble sleeping (insomnia), headache and rash."


Be sure to click on the link and read the rest of the information.

It may be that you're just not suited to take meds from the NNRTI class, and it may be that you just need to give it more time. If things don't start to improve in the next few weeks, talk to your doctor about it.
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on September 26, 2012, 12:09:39 pm
Hi Ann...and thanks for your response.  It is a good point that NNRTI's might not be for me.  Sustiva was tolerated well for a number of years though.

Hope to see continued improvement.  Lack of good deep sleep turns me into a bear.

Will continue my homework.
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: JFYPoz77 on October 13, 2012, 07:29:46 am
Hello!

I recently switched meds from Atripla to Complera and I have been experiencing very abnormal symptoms (lost of appetite, insomnia, extremely tired and lacking motivation to do anything, and a big one- lost of my very high libido).

Has anyone experience the same and how long does it last?  Should I switch back?
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on October 13, 2012, 02:36:21 pm
Hi JFYpox77,
To better understand your situation.....Why did you initially make the switch?
How long were you on Atripla? Labs?  How long have you been on Complera?

If you have been on Complera for only a few days or couple of weeks...I would probably stick with the Complera longer.  You may being going through a phase as your body adjusts.  Having said that....you are only substituting the stocrin (sustiva) for rilpivirine (edurant.)  As Ann pointed out they are in the same class (NNRTI) and work on the virus similarily. 

I made the switch due to sleeping abnormalities and little less cognitive snap.
I have seen some improvement on both of these factors (albeit slowly.)  I made the switch about 5 weeks ago.

I did not have the tiredness/lack of motivation/libido issues.  They are all important issues that you might want to address with your specialist.

Hope it helps a bit.....and best of luck to you.....keep us updated
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: WindySkies on October 14, 2012, 12:15:05 am
I was under the impression that Complera could only be taken by individuals who had not been taking any other meds before?

Guessing I'm wrong?

I haven't started any meds yet, and won't know what is going to be recommended until I get my first set of labs next week.  I have been reading up as much as I can about meds so I'm confused by this now.
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: JFYPoz77 on October 14, 2012, 07:55:32 am
To: scotty54
Thank you very much for your response and to answer your questions I made the switch from Atripla to Complera because once I take Atripla I am out like a light.  I have been on Atripla since the start of my treatment 2 years ago now, and determine that in order to wake up at my normal 6:30am and not feel tired nor dizzy I would have to my Atripla at night at 9:17pm.  That being said you can imagine what that has done to my social life but I did not mind trading that for my health however now that my evening duties for work have increased I thought I needed something that would not knock me out once I took it, and my bf started his treatment on Complera and experience little or no side effects.  So I thought perhaps the switch would be an easy one, but it has not been for the last month so my doctor is going to take me back to Atripla and I will have to find a way to take my Atripla close enough to my normal time slot without me falling asleep in mid conversation with a client!

thanks again for you advise and sharing your experience - it helps to be able to talk among ourselves about this and how it affects each one differently or in many ways the same!

Cheers,

JFY
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on October 14, 2012, 01:43:50 pm
Hi WindySkies
No you are not wrong.  Complera is exclusively recommended as a treatment for people starting HIV treatment for the first time. 

Many of us that have had HIV for a number of years may develop resistance and/or not able to tolerate some of the side effects.  Choosing a new regimen has worked well for many.....but should be a careful consideration BTW you and your doc.

In any event it sounds like you are doing some research.....and wish you the best.

Sending link about Complera.....in case you havent seen.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Complera_2646.shtml
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: Miss Philicia on October 14, 2012, 01:45:42 pm
Just because Complera has only (THUS FAR) been approved for treatment naive patients, that does not in any way prevent a physician from prescribing it "off label" if he/she feels this is warranted.
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on October 14, 2012, 05:06:15 pm
Thanks Miss P..........well put.

I was recently prescribed Complera......and this old goat certainly aint naive  :D :D
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on October 14, 2012, 07:16:26 pm
Hey JFYpoz77
Sounds like you have a plan.  Let us know how the transition goes.
What a pain to have libido/motivation and sleep difficulties.  Wish you improvement.
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: Anqueetas on October 29, 2012, 05:23:32 am
Hang in there Sustiva take up to eight weeks to completely clear from your body.
Title: Re: Atripla to Complera....Sustiva still hanging
Post by: scotty54 on October 29, 2012, 10:53:08 am
Thanks for the info Anqueetas.  And hang in there....it has.  Been over 7 weeks and Sustiva is only now gradually subsiding.  Some return to deeper sleep and a little less mental haze.

Hope the Intelence/Truvada is a better fit for you......noticed you ditched Sustiva also.  Best regards. ;)