Stribild break

[Gladragsguy]

Question...Im taking STRIBILD for 1.5 years and everything is fine UD 660/35% . However I need to take a short break of 2 weeks from it because of cash issues...would taking just TRUVADA for that period be ok?  Then restart STRIBILD in 2 weeks? Have read conflicting opinions about this. Some think nothing is better some say 2/3 meds is better? Ideas?

[daveR]

Personally I would not even entertain the idea of cutting part of my regime. Truvada on its own is not up to the task of holding back the virus on its own once it has gotten a hold of you. I have read on other sites that it is better to stop all meds at the same time but they also add with you Doctors supervision. Have you consulted your HIV specialist, it is the obvious thing to do in this situation.

Dave

[bmancanfly]

Taking Truvada alone is a bad idea. Don't do it.  You need to be taking drugs (most often three drugs) from at least two different drug classes.  Truvada contains two drugs but they are both from the same class (NRTI's).  Doing so is a very bad idea.

What have you done to find help with obtaining meds?

Sometimes doctors have extra pills that are either pharma samples or returns from other patients.  Have you asked?

Checked with a local ASO (AIDS service org) in your area?

Do you mind telling us where you are? 

Stopping meds is rarely a good idea but, if it is absolutely necessary, stopping completely is best.   

[Mendicant]

Bman,

Is there no option to buy online from an Indian company. Most Indian generic meds are 1/10th the price in the US, and I haven't tried but believe they can be ordered online.

[Gladragsguy]

Ended up taking the TRUVADA alone for 3 days and today added RILPIVIRINE to  make up COMPLERA which is more affordable.  Seems everything will be fine and will stay on the COMPLERA if all goes well.

[bmancanfly]

That sounds like a much better plan.  I've been on a similar combo for over a decade with no issues.  Good luck.

@Mendicant.  The issue there is knowing for sure that you are dealing with a reputable company selling real pharmaceuticals - which is not always certain.
Some here have done it, so it can and has, been done.

[daveR]

I am taking the same thing, 2 pills instead of a single Complera pill. I have no problems with it, undetectable after 14 weeks and remained that way.

[Mightysure]

The only possible issue is if you have amy resistance to Rilpivirine.  Otherwise, i dont see any harm in it. And its better to take nothing than to take an incomplete regimine.

[Gladragsguy]

No I've had resistance testing and RIPILVIRINE is fine.