starting atripla???

[aferstilo]

Hey everyone i had a question.. my bf's doc told him that he would be starting atripla... anyone know info int his and being the first Hiv med he is going to take is it the best one or would u guys recommend another.?

[HollyStar]

Hi there,

I have been on Atripla for a couple of weeks now. It is also my first HIV med. I had a few side effects in the beginning but they have pretty much subsided. I really like that I only have to take one pill before bedtime. It's very easy and works wonders! It really does! If you are looking for more scientific information, Atripla has a website where you can read more about it. I'm sure more members will be along shortly to share their experiences with Atripla as their are quite a few of us taking it. Good luck to you and your boyfriend and welcome to the forums.

[ga1964]

Hi Holly,

Welcome to the forums.

I have been on Atripla a little over 2 years.  It was the first medication I was put on after diagnosis.  If you read the post in Meds and Side Effects forum you will find a lot of info there.  I had a few side effects for the first couple of weeks, mainly drowsiness in the mornings, but that went away. 

I have continue to have muscle aches mainly in my shoulder blades and take meds to combat it.  My ID. told me to take it at night.   I take mine at night before going to bed, so if I have side effects, hopefully I sleep through them.  I have read post from those that take it in the mornings have had nausea trough out the day.   

I have also read post about having "vivid dreams", not sure what they meant, because I don't dream that offten.  I have always been a heavy sleeper and all the meds I take doesn't help.  I either don't dream or I sleep so heavily that I don't remember having a dream.

The great thing about Atripla, is that its one pill a day, which makes it easy to adhere to your meds.  My CD-4s were at 191 when I started Atripla and they started rising immediately.  By the time I did my second labs, they were up to 380 and have climbed as high as 557.

Talk to your ID. about any questions you have and he might be able to answer some of them.  If you don't respond well, or the side effects are too much for you, you can always switch to something else.

Good luck and I hope this helps. 

[red_Dragon888]

hi,
Well the first night is the worst night, but it is manageable.  You may feel "high as a kit" or you will feel like you are in a dark place and wonder what the hell, but that effect is not lasting and in the next few days it will dissipate.  Beware of depression cause it is a physical and maybe emotional side effect of the medication.  Just don't go driving or anything until the side effects subsides.  WARNING!!! Also watch out for intestinal parasites that will give you bad gas and diarrhea.  I really mean bad gas like you never know before.  It is a terrible smell and people will not want to be around you.  You have been warned.  Your doctor can give you antibiotics, like metronidazole 500mg for a week, to kill the parasites and you wont have to worry about the smell.  You could also take "pepto bismol" to control the diarrhea in the meantime.  I hope this was helpful.
Joe