Starting on Reyataz/Norvir/Kivexa...

[cubwolf30]

Hi to all in this 2012 and wishing the best to all the poz folks here... well, going right to the point, I'm about to start taking meds and thanks to this forum (reading the experiences of other users) now I'm pretty confident in the treatment I'm being offered, the Reyataz/Norvir/Kivexa combo... yet my only concern is if I can avoid some side-effects by putting off Norvir (obviously I have to discuss that option with the doc), and in that case:

a) it would be better to start with the 300mg Reyataz/100mg Norvir regimen and consider switching to unboosted Reyataz only after I got used to the meds and my VL becomes undetectable?

b) or taking the 400mg unboosted Reyataz dose since the very beginning, leaving the option of adding the Norvir for a later time, only if it's needed?

It can be switched from boosted to unboosted Reyataz and viceversa without affecting it's adherence?

I have to start taking the meds this upcoming week and this doubt is the only thing bothering me, as I want to feel like taking the best available option; I have to add that my VL is low, is the decreasing in my cd4 (and some nasty oportunistic blows) which has prompted the need of treatment... and I'd love having to deal with less nausea/stomach issues and not having to deal with storing the Norvir in the refrigerator (and risking some relative finding out about my poz status because of it)... anyway, I just want to check all my options before swallowing any pill...

Thanks in advance!

[ad2san]

Hi there, happy new year. As you are treatment naive you have the 2 options. I would go without norvir although it does not bring any advantage from the number of pills point of view. Norvir sucks.

Cheers

[mikeyb39]

I haven't had any issues 'yet' with the Norvir/prezista.  My doctor said it may cause some loose stools, but I havent experienced that as of now, of course i've only been taking it for 4 days so far.

[newkrr]

Hey there, I started the exact same combo as you about 3 months ago now, have had no real issues other than elevated bilirubin levels (which has given my eyes a very slight yellow tinge)! But I find them very easy to tolerate! I take the 3 tablets with my dinner, so far so good.

I can't really answer whether it's better to take without the norvir but I'm sure someone more qualified will give you some advice :-)

I hope you're well and have no side effects if you've started your meds already.

Best wishes :-)

[newt]

Either

Without Norvir, Reyataz has slightly better outcomes when used 2 x day, but only slightly, and perhaps after viral load is suppressed the 1 x day vs 2 x day point becomes irrelevant.

- matt

[cubwolf30]

Many, many thanks to all for your kind replies each one of your answers has been very informative and has helped me a lot
I'm now about to start taking the combo (I still have to decide about which time of the day will be the best for me) and well, I asked the doc about the Norvir and I've been advised to start taking the three drugs (my combo is once a day), yet I'll have open the option to drop the Norvir later if I can't really stand it, etc... basically I have to wait and see how my body reacts to it.

I guess that decision will come once the VL is suppressed (as Matt said) as I really want to keep the meds in a 1 x day regimen.

Many thanks again and best wishes to all

p.d: special kudos to newkrr (my "combo" mate lol)... I'm hoping to tolerate it as good as you're doing.

[cubwolf30]

Second day taking the pills... no ill effects so far, besides a bit of headache... a lot of my anxiety has calmed down...

[cubwolf30]

yellowish eyes for the past two days... nothing too serious though... and a bit of stomach pain...