I have a question for the community!

[Enigmadave]

I was originally diagnosed in 2000 with a CD4 of 0 and my VL off the charts. I have been on the same drug regimen since being diagnosed. I just changed Dr. and one of the things they recommended was to change from my current meds(Zidovudine, Ziagen, and Sustiva) to Epzicom, Truvada, and Sustiva.
 My CD4 is 618 and I have been undetectable for nearly 6 years.  From what I have read, the only reason for changing my current regimen would be for the convenience of only taking the meds at night instead of a morning/bedtime regimen.
 I also worry about having to deal with side effects of the new regimen! I have little or no side effects from my current and wonder if the change would raise my CD4 more or would just be a negligible convenience of taaking the meds at bed.
 Anyone out there have any feedback? I am curious for others take on my dilemma!

                                                         Dave

[J.R.E.]

Hello Dave,

The combination that is suggested makes no sense to me. As far as I can tell from your post, the AZT is being dropped.

They are suggesting Epzicom ( which is a combination of Epivir and Ziagen) . They also want Truvada added, which is another combination of two drugs ( Viread and Emtriva.)


Emtriva and Epivir ( I believe) should never be used together !!

With this combination that is being suggested to you, it would put you on 1 non-nuke, and 4 nukes.

This doesn't sound right to me. But I will let the experts chime in here, and offer their suggestions.


Take care---Ray

[Peter Staley]

Dave -- ditto what Ray has said.  You must have misheard the new, recommended regimen.  Epzicom is two drugs in one pill -- Ziagen and Epivir.  And Truvada is also two drugs in one pill -- Viread and Emtriva.  So you wouldn't take both of these, plus Sustiva -- that would be FIVE antivirals (way more than you need).

I'm betting your doc suggested switching to Truvada + Sustiva, OR Epzicom + Sustiva.  Most folks take Truvada instead of Epzicom because it has been shown to have fewer side effects.

Even better news..  Truvada + Sustiva has been combined into one pill called Atripla, so you'd only have to take one pill, once a day (at night).  And you'd only have to pay one co-pay at the pharmacy (saving you $$$).

Welcome to our forums!

Peter
Moderator

[aztecan]

Hey Dave,

Ray and Peter hit it as far as the regimen you brought up.

The only major switch is the dropping of Zidovudine for another med, as Peter said, Truvada or Epzicom coupled with Sustiva.

If you are switching for convenience, I would probably go with Atripla. But, if the twice a day regimen doesn't bother you, I really don't see any reason to switch.

I think another doctor visit and a heart to heart, or should that be HAART to HAART  with the doc might be in order.

HUGS,

Mark

[Enigmadave]

Thank you for the feedback!!