Does food decrease the effectiveness of atripla?

[newbie05]

I know taking atripla around the time you eat can have different side effects, but am wondering if I don't suffer from those effects, does food decrease the effectiveness?

[antibody]

no food is going to increase the amount of sustiva in your your blood thus improving the chance of becoming UD

[Luke]

Whilst it is true to say that food doesn't decrease the effectiveness of Atripla and that foods in your stomach will increase the level of active drugs in your bloodstream; it doesn't really follow that this will increase your chances of becoming undetectable - because all you are generally doing is increasing the level of the drugs way beyond that which is needed for therapeutic purposes.

What you are also doing is increasing your chances of experiencing adverse side-effects.

In other words: More pain, but no gain.

[mecch]

improving the chance of becoming undetectable???!!

Antibody, take a deep breath before you offer your personal "HIV Specialist" advice, cause you are not and this is a public forum.  We know you mean well.

[antibody]

whateva! i do what i want!

[Ann]

whateva! i do what i want!

Antibody, you might do what you want, but please know that when you give out misinformation in these forums, someone is going to correct you.

Ann

[aztecan]

Hey Newbie,

From my understanding, the recommendation to take Atripla on an empty stomach has less to do with efficacy than it has to do with CNS side effects.

I cannot find any information dealing specifically with serum blood levels of the medications found in Atripla and the effect taking with food would have. I don't know whether it has a significant effect or not.

That said, it is usually a good idea to follow the instructions for medications. I doubt the occasional oopsie is going to hurt you, but I don't think I would make a habit of it.

HUGS,

Mark

[bocker3]

I've talked with my doctor (and Dr. Gallant on the Johns Hopkins site) about this - they have both said that the "empty stomach" requirement is due to side effects.  If you do eat food (especially fatty food), the side effects are likely to be more pronounced.  They both add, however, that unless the side effects are too much to handle, there is no harm in having more drug in your system.

I probably have as many nights with food as not -- no problems thus far for me -- except an occasional heightened "drunken" feeling.

Mike

[newbie05]

Thank you, everyone.