gafry53 - BIKTARVY SWITCH

[gafry53]

 My docotr want me to switch to Biktarvy form Atripla. I have been taking Atripla for around 9 years and have been undetectable since I started and CD4 is around 600.
My Doctor also admitted that he get money from the drug  companies?? Atripla is soon to go generic?? He said Biktarvy is  easier on kidneys and bones??
Any thought out there if I should switch??

[Jim Allen]

Hiya

Welcome to the forum.  I split your post & question from the OP thread, into its own thread for you.

I'm sure others will chime in on this thread, all I can say is Atripla is no longer a first-line medication and, i also can understand doctors wanting to switch people to newer medications that do equally or a better job with fewer potential side-effects.

The kidney and bone comment from the doctor i suspect would be due to the TDF component of Atripla.

That said if you really don't want to switch and happy with the medication you are on than talk to the doctor and make that clear. You are the driver and its your treatment end of the day, not theirs. 

Jim

[bufguy]

I have exactly the same situation. I've been on Atripla for over 10 years, consistently undetectable and now have a CD4 over 1000.
My doctor also suggested I might want to change to a newer medication as the efavienz can cause certain side effects for people and the newer TAF is more kidney friendly and bone friendly than TDF in Atripla. I have to admit I saw few side effects with Atripla and my numbers are good
The new generic form of Atripla is Symfi and Symfi Lo...It is a different formulation in that it keeps the efavirenz, although the "lo" version shrinks it from 600 to 400mg, but it keeps TDF.
I chose biktarvy on my own with the support of my doctor. I liked that it had no food requirement and I've read of few side effects. Just ordered the prescription and will probably be able to start it this weekend

[bocker3]

My docotr want me to switch to Biktarvy form Atripla. I have been taking Atripla for around 9 years and have been undetectable since I started and CD4 is around 600.
My Doctor also admitted that he get money from the drug  companies?? Atripla is soon to go generic?? He said Biktarvy is  easier on kidneys and bones??
Any thought out there if I should switch??

If the only concern is the possible impacts on kidneys and bones, that is most likely because of the "old" formulation of Tenofovir that is used in Atripla.  I switched to efavirenz and Descovy (the "new" Truvada, which has the new formulation of Tenofovir which may be easier on the bones and kidneys).  So -- I am essentially still on "Atripla", except that it is broken into 2 pills and it has the new Tenofovir.

Mike