what time to take meds?

[bill1322]

hello, this is my first post.

I started taking Emtriva instead of Videx (DDI) about a month ago because I started having peripheral neuropathy in my feet. I also take Viramune and Viread, my Tcells are 750 and VL is undetectable. I'm having stomach unpleasantness and spending a lot of time in the bathroom. I always took my meds in the morning with breakfast and a second Viramune at bedtime.

I wondered if reversing that might help my stomach feel better. Does anyone know about taking the 3 meds at bedtime? What kind of side effects might that have? I take a calcium +vit D at bedtime also.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

thanks,

Bill

[Peter Staley]

Bill -- I haven't heard of folks being able to reduce stomach issues by changing the dosing time of their meds.  But maybe others might chime in with suggestions.

Welcome to our forums!

Peter

[J.R.E.]

Hello ,

I take one Viramune and the Epzicom at 8:00 AM, and the other Viramune and Viread at 8:00 PM.

For me, I prefer to take the Epzicom ( since it's two drugs), in the morning. I work the night shift, (11:00 to 7:00) and it seems easier for me to get through the start of the night after taking Viramune and Viread at night. I tried it the other way around ( Viramune and Epzicom at night) and didn't like it.

Bill you need to bring these stomach issues up with your doctor, and see if some other tests may be in order. Being on two of the meds that you are on, I always try to have something in my gut a half hour before taking them. I haven't really had any serious issues with the gut, no matter which ones I take first or last.


Hope you get these issues resolved. Make sure to talk to your doc. Let us know how you do.


Take care----Ray

[bill1322]

I have now checked with the doctor who says I should take the meds anytime that works for me. My stomach issues are most likely acid reflux caused by the meds.

So now I take one Viramune, the Viread and the Emtriva when I go to bed. I also take a large fish oil and a calcium supplement then. (Someone told me it's like drinking a glass of warm milk - helps you sleep - and it does.)

I take the other Viramune with a little food and coffee in the morning, along with another fish oil and a Cymbalta (for depression and PN pain - 2 in 1)

Then around lunchtime I take the multi vitamin, Vit. E, B12, etc, and another fish oil.

This all seems to be working out well and my stomach issues are easing. I have cut down the amount of coffee I drink and that seems to help also.

The doc prescribed Protonix for the acid reflux, but the insurance does not want to pay for that and insists I have Nexium instead. I'm supposed to take that on an empty stomach - I haven't figured out when that is yet - but the pills haven't come from the mail-order pharmacy yet either.

I go back to the ID doc next month for blood work to see if the change from Videx to Emtriva is effective. The PN seems to be easing a bit and I expect my triglycerides to be down some from all the fish oil.

Things are looking up! 

[BUZZCUTT]

Hi Bill

I take Protonix in the morning with my Epzicom - the indigestion has now stopped- i take them both on an empty stomach

[aztecan]

Hey Bill,

I take Protonix in the morning too. It is basically the same thing as Nexium. Both work well for me.

I usually take my Protonix and Claritin first thing in the morning with my first cup of coffee.

I take the rest of my meds (Lexiva, Combivir, Norvir and Naproxen Sodium, also known as generic Aleve), after I eat my breakfast.

It seems to work fine for me unless I fail to eat enough and the Norvir gives me a sour stomach.

Try it and see how it works for you.

HUGS,

Mark