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Author Topic: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress  (Read 6938 times)

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Offline YankInAustralia

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Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« on: October 13, 2013, 10:19:52 pm »
Hey Guys,

Just wanted to post that I have started meds just over 2 weeks ago for the first time. I decided to go for a twice daily of Truvada and Raltegravir (Isentress). I work in sexual health in Australia specifically around gay men and HIV, and it was the most strongly recommended, even if I have to take dosings twice a day.

Aside from feeling like I was on acid and E (which wasn't at all unpleasurable) the first three days, I now feel absolutely nothing. That bizarre sensation vanished on the 4th day.  I wouldn't even know that these pills are in my body. I can wake up, work out, sleep deeply, etc.  I can take them on an empty stomach, even with a hangover, and I feel nothing. I feel totally normal.

I do not have any #s back yet but will in a week or two. I am thinking I will be going in the right direction.  So long as this combination works on my virus, I highly recommend it, as it was highly recommended to me. Just thought I would share my experience for anyone who might need it, particularly people thinking about starting treatment. I know meds affect everyone differently, yet my experience is exactly why it was recommended to me.

Bubye,

YinA

Offline SouthSam7

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  • Posts: 428
Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2013, 02:56:59 am »
I can't imagine why they would tell you to take it twice a day unless you have some resistance (I'm not a medical professional), but I take Truvada and Isentress once a day.

My numbers have never been better.  The side-effects are less than my previous regimens, including lipid side-effects.

If you have to take the shit this regimen is pretty good in my opinion.

Offline BT65

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2013, 04:35:16 am »
Isentress is typically a twice a day dosage, the Truvada once a day; though some people take it all once a day.
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Offline challenger89

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2013, 08:44:48 am »
Sounds awesome YankInAustralia !

Congrats  ;D :D

Offline emeraldize

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2013, 08:37:01 pm »
I've been taking it once daily for quite a while and am UD.

Jeez I missed the acid trip ramp up.

And, I feel cheated.

Offline mitch777

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2013, 10:01:23 pm »
I never knew once a day was an option with Isentress. Could someone please explain?
33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

Offline emeraldize

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2013, 04:10:17 am »
To be clear, it's not recommended by directions. There was a study conducted using it once daily and it was concluded it was not to be used this way. However, there are a number of folks who do take it this way. My nursie knows. I get my quarterlies done and it's proving efficacious.

Edited to add:
I did locate a small study published in late 2012 which shows efficacy in those already virologically suppressed. (Abstract excerpt below) My VL was very low at the start. And it was my first regimen ever.

Although I concede it was my solution to getting it down the hatch reliably, I then learned others were doing it too. The guilt lessened and when my UD level was sustained, I confessed to my nursie.

Raltegravir 800 mg Once Daily Is Efficacious in Patients Already Virologically Suppressed (Glasgow 2012)
 
 
     Reported by Jules Levin
Glasgow Nov 11-15 2012
 
Douglas J Ward, MD, Robert R C Grant, BADupont Circle Physicians Group, Washington, DC, USA
 
Conclusions:
 
Although this review is small, uncontrolled, and retrospective, it supports the use of raltegravir 800 mg qd in those already on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable viral loads. Although once-daily dosing can not be recommended for those initiating therapy or those with significant antiretroviral resistance, it appears to be sufficient for those already virologically suppressed. For the appropriate patient, once-daily dosing would make raltegravir more convenient, therefore likely increasing adherence and potentially improving outcomes.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2013, 04:26:48 am by emeraldize »

Offline eric48

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2013, 08:06:36 am »
I do not have any #s back yet but will in a week or two.

For some reason, I am under the impression that the results will be just wonderful !

When you get your result, please kindly post them in detail, for everyone's education

That would be nice, and BTW, welcome here

Eric
NVP/ABC/3TC/... UD ; CD4 > 900; CD4/CD8 ~ 1.5   stock : 6 months (2013: FOTO= 5d. ON 2d. OFF ; 2014: Clin. Trial NCT02157311 = 4days ON, 3days OFF ; 2015: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157311 ; 2016: use of granted patent US9101633, 3 days ON, 4days OFF; 2017: added TDF, so NVP/TDF/ABC/3TC, once weekly

Offline YankInAustralia

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2013, 12:23:31 am »
Thanks Guys..

I really appreciate the info and the support. If I post my #s, do I start a new thread, or do I post them here?


Offline mitch777

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  • Posts: 4,087
Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2013, 12:10:24 pm »
To be clear, it's not recommended by directions. There was a study conducted using it once daily and it was concluded it was not to be used this way. However, there are a number of folks who do take it this way. My nursie knows. I get my quarterlies done and it's proving efficacious.

Raltegravir 800 mg Once Daily Is Efficacious in Patients Already Virologically Suppressed (Glasgow 2012)
 
Conclusions:
 
Although this review is small, uncontrolled, and retrospective, it supports the use of raltegravir 800 mg qd in those already on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable viral loads. Although once-daily dosing can not be recommended for those initiating therapy or those with significant antiretroviral resistance, it appears to be sufficient for those already virologically suppressed. For the appropriate patient, once-daily dosing would make raltegravir more convenient, therefore likely increasing adherence and potentially improving outcomes.

Thanks for the info and clarification Em. I wasn't even sure that you were still taking two Isentress in a day but I see you are, just at the same time.
I hope someone will do more studies on this. It might help my insomnia if I were to take them both in the morning but I'll stick to the recommended dosage schedule until more is known.

@YankinAustralia-  You could post your new numbers in either place. It's related to this thread so I guess I would post it here.
33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

Offline emeraldize

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  • Posts: 3,397
Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2013, 02:05:58 pm »
Mitch

I don't have any issues with insomnia presently and haven't for a while.

Em

Offline mitch777

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2013, 04:50:26 pm »
Mitch

I don't have any issues with insomnia presently and haven't for a while.

Em

Em,

Glad to hear that. :)  I am guessing you take the Isentress in the morning?
m.
33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

Offline emeraldize

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Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2013, 06:38:57 pm »
Afternoon.

Offline mitch777

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  • Posts: 4,087
Re: Strong Recommendation for Truvada/Isentress
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2013, 06:51:42 pm »
Em, just one more question...
When you DID have insomnia, was it caused by Isentress? I can't remember.
m.
33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

 


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