POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: mikeyb39 on December 17, 2011, 08:19:48 pm
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Hi all,
What is a good alternative? I'm on Atripla now and discussed a few months ago about switching off the Sustiva due to sleeping and depressive issues. I've been having this numbness and feet issues which could also be something in the Truvada. Dr said we would discuss switching once i got test results from Neurologist, so still waiting on that information to come in, but just trying to see what the options are. It looks like even the alternatives include Truvada. I was reading below article. the numbness/tingling/burning could be caused by either of these, although just 5% of people, but maybe i'm one of the 5 percent.
Atripla may cause nerve damage in more than 5% of people.
This drug may also cause the following symptoms that are related to nerve damage:
Burning, prickling, tickling or tingling in more than 5% of people
Numbness of the arms/legs
Numbness or tingling in more than 5% of people
Peripheral neuropathy in more than 5% of people
Nervous system side effects (Grades 2 to 4) have included dizziness (8%) and headache (6%). Selected side effects of moderate to severe intensity have included impaired concentration and somnolence in greater than or equal to 2% of efavirenz-treated patients. Nervous system symptoms of any grade and regardless of causality (53%) included dizziness (28.1%), insomnia (16.3%), impaired concentration (8.3%), somnolence (7%), abnormal dreams (6.2%), hallucinations (1.2%), amnesia, agitation, euphoria, depersonalization, confusion, abnormal thinking, and stupor during clinical trials of efavirenz in combination with other antiretroviral agents. These symptoms were mild in 33.3%, moderate in 17.4%, and severe in 2% of patients. Therapy was discontinued in 2.1% of patients due to these side effects. Paresthesia and peripheral neuropathy (including peripheral neuritis and neuropathy) have been reported in at least 5% of patients receiving emtricitabine or tenofovir. Abnormal coordination, ataxia, cerebellar coordination and balance disturbances, convulsions, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, neuropathy, tremor, and tinnitus have been reported during postmarketing experience with efavirenz.
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I've thought about what I would change to if I switched off Atripla. My first choice would be Truvada/Isentress (but thats not once a day, its twice a day). I would also consider waiting until the Quad pill is approved.
If I were you I would not take Complera (just because you started with a high viral load, thats prob me just being a nervous nelly, just my opinion).
Good luck if you decide to change, sorry your having Atripla troubles. Sucks
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Oh also, forgot to tellyou in the pm, i had the tingling and ants in my arms when I was on sustiva, less so on intellence, now rarely if at all on Isentress.
I do think the heel problem is coming back this winter... >:(
I hope you do find relief.
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Thanks bugg and Mecch, hopefully i will get back to 'normal' soon, whatever normal is
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Hi,
I think the closest combo on the radar (in terms of resitance profile) and class that is also widely used and once daily that does not have EFV nor TNF may be
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33062.0
not as popular as Atripla, as there are some restrictions that Atripla does not have.
A few posters in this forum have switched to this less common combo and have been happy with the switch
Hope this helps
Eric
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Hi, I've been on Atripla since mid-2010 with overall excellent results, I'm staying undetectable. I like the one pill once a day, although there have been some minor bumps along the way, such as occasional sleep issues and dizziness. But I and my new doc decided to stay on Atripla for now because it's working so well for me and if it aint broke don't fix it right lol..That being said, I might consider the new Quad pill when it comes out, because you really can't beat the ease of just taking one pill once a day. Some people simply cannot tolerate the Sustiva in Atripla. I'm no expert, but I've heard good things about the Isentress/Truvada regimen. Just talk to your doc and make the best decision for you. Best wishes.
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My doc said last time if either one of these medications in Atripla are causing my neuro problems, then it would more than likely be the Emitriva part. It seems that most combos include Truvada. so I don't know what the alternative would be. Seems like all combos include an NNRT.