Truvada better than Combivir?

[achim-martin]

Is it true, that truvada causes less lipoprobs than Combivir? Cause our Doc at the Clinic in Las Palmas wants my partner to move to truvada cause of that...  Actually my partner doesn't even have problems, but they want him to change anyway.   

[allanq]

Switching from Combivir to Truvada is a good idea. The AZT in Combivir is a major cause of lipoatrophy--loss of fat in the face, arms, and legs. I speak from experience. The Viread in Truvada is much less associated with this problem. Lipoatrophy can take years to develop, and once it does, it cannot be reversed. It's a good idea to switch before you start experiencing lipoatrophy.

Many doctors do not pay enough attention to lipodystrophy; they focus only on the lab numbers. You're lucky to have a doctor who is being proactive on this issue.

Allan

Edited to add this:
In a small percentage of people, Viread can affect kidney function. Therefore, it is important to monitor your kidney function (creatinine levels) while on Truvada.

[achim-martin]

good to know, thanx!

For what I've read it may also not be quite so good for the bones - osteoporosis?! Well, more calcium etc...

[eric jensen]

I was on Triziver and Combivir for my start meds and was on them from 2001-2006.  Didn't see any body changes.  Moved to Atripla, which contains Truvada, and over the course of the year, fat loss in my lower half.  If I had to do it again, I would have stayed on the original regimen. 

[Miss Philicia]

I was on Triziver and Combivir for my start meds and was on them from 2001-2006.  Didn't see any body changes.  Moved to Atripla, which contains Truvada, and over the course of the year, fat loss in my lower half.  If I had to do it again, I would have stayed on the original regimen. 

Lipo is generally a delayed effect from meds, not instantaneous.  How do you know that your lipo was not a delayed effect from your first regimen (especially the AZT in Combivir)?

You may also wish to follow up with what you said on this thread, and the subsequent replies:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=615.msg270386#msg270386

[megasept]

Lipo is generally a delayed effect from meds, not instantaneous.  How do you know that your lipo was not a delayed effect from your first regimen (especially the AZT in Combivir)?

You may also wish to follow up with what you said on this thread, and the subsequent replies:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=615.msg270386#msg270386

Hi. I realize you say "generally a delayed effect" and Peter S has said something similar in this discussion. Well, I am the exception. For me fat changes ONLY happen very rapidly (days, not months), and Lipo arrived during a long period of zero changes in diet, exercise, work, or meds. I think there's a threshold effect for me, like water reaching the top of a dam. The last reversal of Metoformin's positive effect on decreasing remaining Lipo-induced fat, did happen after a vacation with different eating habits, so admittedly that's not quite so clear an example of my point. Still, my lifestyle is back to normal but the new pesky fat won't budge. Interesting discussion.

  -megasept

[SATC]

Eric,

Efavirenz can be a causitive agent in lipodytrophy and lipoatrophy. When I was younger I had gynaecomastia, I was about 16, but my grandparents paid for me to have it removed when I was 16. I have consistently tried to avoid all drugs that are associated with gynaecomastia because it was such a distressing thing to me. My doctor told me that Efavirenz can rarely be associated with gynaecomastia and that was good enough reason for me to stay off of it.

And for everyone else, I had rapidly progressing lipoatrophy on a Reyataz monotherapy. Reyataz monotherapy was the first thing I was ever on when it first came out back in 2003. My viral load was not very high, and I was pretty adverse to getting on drugs at all, but I agreed to it because my doc told me it caused no lipid problems at all. After 8 months of being on Reyataz I put on 20 pounds and my face was very wasted. I had to pay $22,000 to have a tummy tuck and for them to take some of the fat they removed and put it into my cheeks. 4 years later and I still look better then ever.

[sharkdiver]

Eric,

Efavirenz can be a causitive agent in lipodytrophy and lipoatrophy. When I was younger I had gynaecomastia, I was about 16, but my grandparents paid for me to have it removed when I was 16. I have consistently tried to avoid all drugs that are associated with gynaecomastia because it was such a distressing thing to me. My doctor told me that Efavirenz can rarely be associated with gynaecomastia and that was good enough reason for me to stay off of it.

And for everyone else, I had rapidly progressing lipoatrophy on a Reyataz monotherapy. Reyataz monotherapy was the first thing I was ever on when it first came out back in 2003. My viral load was not very high, and I was pretty adverse to getting on drugs at all, but I agreed to it because my doc told me it caused no lipid problems at all. After 8 months of being on Reyataz I put on 20 pounds and my face was very wasted. I had to pay $22,000 to have a tummy tuck and for them to take some of the fat they removed and put it into my cheeks. 4 years later and I still look better then ever.

Just for clarification, were you on some type of monotherapy clinical trial and if so, which one? You actually got a tummy tuck? Usually and I am saying usually, the abdominal fat redistribution is visceral fat (isolated truncal obesity), in which is very dangerous because because its the fat around your organs.   Sorry you had such unusual adverse reactions.

[ubotts]

I was on combivir for a few yrs, and then I read a post in this group and I was told to
get on truvada...so I did.

It has no azt like everyone said above me, but it wont reverse what has already happened to my body, but at least its more in check now..

Yes truvada is better than combivir...good luck my friend.