POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: Delby on January 18, 2012, 07:12:17 am
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Hi All,
I have to make a very important decision and not sure which way to go. I have been UD on Atripla for over 4yrs, but suffer from acute insomnia. I switched my dose to the morning but I still suffer every night from insomnia. I am not sure whether it is the atripla still causing my insomnia, or just that i have it regardless.
Either way my dr has advised that it may be worth trying Eviplera (Complera), which has the sustiva component removed and therefore may not cause insomnia. I don't want to change or rock the boat as i am UD. I am concerned that if I do change and I don't like it, I won't be able to go back to Atripla and also may loose complera as a drug because of resistance if i come off it. This may be incorrect, but the more knowledgable amongst you may be able to better explain this?
Also, it's just been released in the UK, so i don't know anyone that has used it. What sort of side effects does it come with? Would I be better staying with Atripla?
Really in need of some professional advise guys and girls?
Delby
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You won't need to worry about resistance provided that when you switch, you do so without a break in between. In other words, take your last dose of Atripla on Sunday (for example), then take the first dose of Complera on Monday when you would have taken the Atripla.
There's a very good chance that it is the Sustiva component of the Atripla that is causing your insomnia, despite taking it in the morning. Many people have this problem with Sustiva.
Don't be afraid to switch off something that is creating quality of life problems. Good luck! :)
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Thanks Ann. So would I be able to go back to Atripla if I'm not happy with the switch?
Do you or anyone else know of the side effects from complera?
I'm also wondering whether I should get my testosterone levels tested as I suffer from daily fatigue, though I suspect its the insomnia. Has anyone else had their levels tested?
A very tired twitchy eyed Delby!
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Hi Delby...
I had horrible insomnia when I first went on Atripla. My doc prescribed some pretty strong sleep medication until it subsided, now I am taking one over the counter sleep gel at night. I, personally, would be leery about throwing my regimen under the bus without specifically addressing the insomnia, at the same time, you HAVE to sleep!
Drew
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Yes, provided you go right from one combo to the next without a break in between, resistance should not be a problem and you can go back to the first combo.
While I do not have any personal experience with Complera, according to this site's Complera Lesson (http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Complera_2646.shtml), depression and insomnia issues are possible side-effects of this combo, just like with Atripla.
You might want to think about some of the other once-a-day combos available, rather than switching to a combo that has such a similar side effect profile. Reyataz boosted with Norvir plus Truvada is one such combo off the top off my head.
As a positive man, it won't hurt to get your testosterone levels checked. It is quite common for hiv to deplete testosterone levels. It is possible that insomnia plus low testosterone is making things worse for you, so do get checked.
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yes i have also read that complera can cause insomnia, so why the hell would my Dr propose switching from Atripla to Complera when knowing they have the same side effect profile.
This insomnia will be the death of me..i used to smoke cannabis every night before i was diagnosed, but stopped on the day of my diagnosis as it made me so anxious. It used to help me sleep. That was the only thing that did the trick. But since I've had pneumonia I don't want to get back into smoking.
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I tested positive this past Fall and started on Complera in early December. I was UD in 35 days and haven't experienced any side affects. While all medicines can affect differernt people well, differently, I've found Complera very easy to tolerate with no (at least so far) side affects.
Good luck, Delby!