Have You Had A Problem With Viramune?

[MitchMiller]

I'm going to ask my doc to switch me from Sustiva to Viramune.  The primary motivation is that I'm switching jobs and I am really wary of going through interviews when taking Sustiva.  Sustiva increases anxiety for me which, in turn, can really affect my ability to sleep.  Sleeping pills leave me somewhat foggy the next day.  I need to be as alert as possible for technical interviews where I may have to take timed, written tests as well as survive an oral barrage of questions.
Also, I may need to take a drug test and Sustiva can cause false positives for marijuana unless a specific type of test is used.  Thattest is rarely used due to cost.  I don't want to write ANYWHERE that I take Sustiva... even though my privacy is supposedly assured.
SO... I want to start Viramune.  My TCells are just over 400.  The rate of liver abnormalities is 6.3% in male subjects w/a TCell count > 400.  This figure doesn't really tell me the whole story... like perhaps the rate is only 2% if your TCells are 400 - 450.

Does anyone out there take Viramune?
What was your TCell count before starting Viramune?
Have you ever had a liver problem? 
If so, how soon after starting Viramune, did it occur?
How serious was it (were you laid up for a while?)?

[J.R.E.]

Mitch,

I take Viramune. I started on Viramune, Epivir and Ziagen ( Epzicom) and Viread.  I started on these meds October of 03. Viread was added around September of 04.

When I started on Viramune my t-cells were at 16. On my last blood test 11/05/07 t-cells were at 295, been as high as 380. Next blood test February 18th , 08

My percentage started at around 5% and currently at 12.7 %. Highest % I ever had was 14.7

I have been undetectable, since 7/12/06. Prior to the time, A couple blips, always going back to <50.

My chemical /CBC/ Amylase profile tests have always come back good. No liver problems so far !!, and hoping it stays that way.

Having some problem with Cholesterol ; Started around July of 04.

Last test on 11/05/07 :

Total cholesterol---226

LDL (Bad Chol.)----138

HDL (good CHOL)-45


Triglycerides-------216


I am on no depression/anxiety medication. The only meds are Viramune, Viread and Epzicom. Also Lipidor to help with cholesterol.

I have been pleased with this regimen. I have no issues with sleep. I can almost always sleep very soundly.
Takes me about an hour to get moving, when I wake up, but once I am moving I am OK.

I don't have concentration or focusing issues on the job. But I would be lying if I told you I don't get a little foggy at time. 4 years and just about 3 months on meds, and diagnosed positive in 1985. 56 years of age. I think I am entitled to have a little brainfog on occasion, as long as I can think clearly on the job, I am doing OK.

I don't drink alcohol, and I don't smoke. Liver function test are done every 3 months. No problems with Hep-A, B, or C

I am dealing with mild to moderate neuropathy. ( but take no medication for it) Alos some fatigue.

No problems keeping the weight consistant ( 172-pounds) Appetite is always good. Never have diahreah, or constipation.

Had very little problems starting on these meds.




Take care------Ray

[leatherman]

In feb 04 I started a regimen of
Videx EC, Viread, Viramune, Reyataz, Norvir
(plus Bactrim and Acyclovir)

this regimen has kept my tcells pretty constant near 240;
and the viral load usually near undetectable
(I had my first "undetectable" in 10 years while using these meds!)

The videx, viread and norvir are the culprits in making me barf about a dozen times during the month. the videx, viread, and reyataz (and AZT I used to take) are probably the cause of the peripheral neuropathy that's starting to worsen.

viramune is the ONLY med that I've taken in the last 15 yrs that NEVER made me barf!!

[joemutt]

I am on Viread, Viramune and Epivir . I ve been taking Viramune for a few years  now (4 or 5), without specific problems re: viramune. My CD4s which were high before remained so.
My liver function tests remained normal. I had a few lipo problems but since I dropped the azt in my cocktail for Viread a year ago that has been better (stopped Lipitor). 

[MitchMiller]

Thanks all.... I see of those that responded, nobody has had a liver issue.  I talked w/my PA today and we agreed to stay on the Sustiva (my decision).  She stated that I would need to come in at 2 - 4 - 8 - 12 week points after starting Viramune to measure liver enzymes.  Since I may need to relocate for a new job, I thought it best to stay on the Sustiva.  She also tried to convince me the false positive for marijuana doesn't show up very often.  She said they typically just write a letter stating the patient is on a drug that may cause a false positive without disclosing the drug (although being and ID practice, it should be obvious what the disease is).  She's only had 3 cases in five years.  If the job does require a drug test, Viramune is still an option.

I wanted her to agree to switch back and forth between Sustiva and Viramune, but she didn't like that idea.  Said she thinks Viramune liver issues are NOT cumulative, although the reason is unknown.  Didn't make me feel too comfortable that she couldn't refer to data that ensured her thoughts.  I do know from my own reading, the highest likelihood is within the first three months of therapy.   

I've got five months worth of Sustiva in my stache, so my cheap butt also couldn't bear not using it!

[ajm_ldn]

I've had no real issues on Viramune.  Liver enzymes went up once, likely due to a course of antibiotics, but latest test was 23 (well within normal range).  I've been on this drug for 10 months now and really glad I switched.  Also, Viramune tends to be better on your lipids, and delivers better penetration / suppression of VL in the CNS (central nervous system).

For me, being on this regime is like taking vitamins.  I feel nothing bad at all, just lots better.