More ATRIPLA questions from a newbie...HELP!!!

[Winston]

Hello all,

I've been on ATRIPLA for about 2 months.  So far, so good, but I have two major questions regarding the drug.

First, I have an ever-changing schedule and sometimes don't eat my final meal until 10 or 11pm.  The drug already causes me to have horrible dreams, especially after eating late, so sometimes I don't take the pill until afte 2am.  Of course, this doesn't usually stop the dreams, but it's the best I can do.  To avoid the dreams and establish a set time to take the pill, my doc suggested taking it at 11am.  I'm wondering if anyone else has experience in taking ATRIPLA during the day, if it interferes with general daytime activities, etc. 

Second, can anyone offer advise or feedback on how ARIPLA interacts with crystal meth?  My doc is well aware that I'm a pothead and doesn't have a problem with it.  He actually told me it may help with upset stomach when I first started meds.  Crystal is a different story, though.  I have not used since starting meds, but I'm sure it will happen eventually.  I don't feel comfortable asking my doctor this question, but need to know if there are any dangers.

Thanks

[newt]

Hey hello

1. A set time is not really necessary with Atripla, since the meds last a very long time in the body, more than a day.

2. 600mg of Sustiva (which is the dose in Atripla) at 11am is prob gonna have you tripping or whizzing around by lunchtime.  Does this work for you? Well it might be better than horrid dreams. a friend of mine did his Sustiva in the morning and was so dynamic at work (but, ahem, rude to people).  It's worth a try, some people do better being a bit spaced in the day.  BUT.... more common is for people to split the Sustiva into summat like 400mg in the morning and 20mg at night (or the other way round).  This is okay.  Just need to have 600mg a day. This approach would mean taking two tabs - Sustiva + Truvada (which is what Atripla is made up of).

3. If Atripla side-effects don't settle down after a few months, do think about switching for something else. Sustiva's a v good drug, but not the only drug, and there are several others just as effective which still allow once-a-day dosing. Maybe a good idea to give the big A a run for a few months now you's on it and see how things go/if things settle down - unless you really know already the effects are too, too bad to keep on with it.

4. Dunno if this point apples to you or not, but thought I'd mention it anyway ... some people with an African genetic heritage (er, and some others) process Sustiva more slowly, meaning they have a higher dose in their body (perhaps 10-100+ times the right does), leading to great side effects.  They can do with much less (maybe even 200mg/day). Drug levels can be measured, but in the US this is not a common procedure.

- matt

[Winston]

Thanks, Newt, for the response and info.  I was actually on Sustiva and Truvada for a few months before being switched to Atripla.  The dreams were present then, as well as now.  I'm starting to think it's just something I may have to learn to live with.  I'm not sure I want to go through the day on an Atripla high.  Then again, it may not be a bad thing.     At this point I'm willing to try anything.  Just wanted some feedback from someone that may know first-hand.  Your comments were helpful and greatly appreciated.