Atripla and food

[New2Meds]

I've been poz for 7 years, but have not had to take meds. For the past several months my platlette count has been dropping and has now gotten as low as 10k. Due to this and not my CD4 or viral load, my doctor insisted that I start on HIV meds.

I just started Atripla this weekend and it states to take on an empty stomach. I was supposed to start my first dose on Fri., but I got hungry and ate around 9 PM and then was too tired to stay up 2 more hours to wait and take my first pill on an empty stomach. I started on Sat. instead. What is the time frame for eating before and after Atripla? What is the reason for not taking it with food? Does it make a differnce what kind of food (fatty food vs. fruit)? Neither my doctor nor the pharmacy explained this to me.

[SoSadTooBad]

I would not sweat the food issue with Atripla.  The reason it is recommended to be taken without food and at bedtime is to reduce the side effects of the Sustiva component. 

Some people get lightheaded, dizzy, flushed and a "drunk" feeling from Sustiva.  Eating prior to taking Sustiva can intensify this effect.  Typically high fat snacks and meals will have the greatest impact on you when you take Sustiva.  I can eat almost anything when I take it except for ice cream or nuts - very high fat items that I probably should not eat at night anyway. 

You will likely find Atripla very easy to take - good luck to you. 

[racingmind]

I have been on Atripla for about 10 days and I can tell you what my doctor said regarding the consumption of food.  He said that I should try to take it on an empty stomach, but if I had to eat something within the 2 hour dose window, he suggested eating healthy natural cereal with nonfat milk, nonfat crackers & tomato soup, pretty much anything without fat. 

He told me that fatty foods will intensify side effects (dizzy or drunk feeling, etc.) but more importantly, high fat foods interfere with proper absorption of the Atripla into your system. 

Just keep your eyes open for nonfat foods next time you are grocery shopping...you'll be amazed at the selection of different foods available.

Good Luck and I hope your transition onto the meds is an easy one

[New2Meds]

Thank you both. It's been four days and four doses so far and I've decided that if this is going to be for the long haul that I should go ahead and experiment. On Sat. I made sure not to eat anything for 2 hours before taking my first ever Atripla. I went to bed and woke the next morning with no sided effects. On Sun. I ate some fruit about an hour befor taking my pill and had one really disturbing dream in the middle of the night which woke me. I slept the rest of the night fine, although I've felt woozy the last three mornings. The last fe days I've tried eating and taking my pill closer together and have had strange dreams, but nothing I can't live with. If this is the only reason for the empty stomach thing, I don't really need to worry.

If, as racingmind stated , eating actually interferes with the drugs absortion, than that seems like something that I should worry about. I will ask my doctor about this on my next visit. Once again, thanks.

[racingmind]

If, as racingmind stated , eating actually interferes with the drugs absortion, than that seems like something that I should worry about. I will ask my doctor about this on my next visit. Once again, thanks.

New,
I stated that eating high fat foods   would interfere with the absorption of Atripla, not eating in general.  As far as I know, you should always try to take Atripla on an empty stomach.  If you must eat, stick to low-fat or non-fat foods. I would be interested to see if your doctor concurs.  Please post an update after you speak with him.  Thanks.

[Falkore]

I didn't know about the high fat warning on Atripla when I first started taking it.  Once night I ate two pieces of fried chicken about an hour before taking my pill.  Goodness, the next day I was out of it.  I usually eat something and then wait an hour befor bedtime.  Usually that is fine for me as long as I don't eat a really high fat meal. 

So far no major side effects if I just watch what I eat.

I wish you the best of luck.

[BB]

If you want a ride, try taking your pill and then drinking coffee with cream. For whatever the reason that combo is chilling. I've also learned that certain types of food will prolong the effects over about a twelve hour period. During that time the "rush and high" will come in waves. I've switched to taking my pill at night when food is not going to be consumed. This has helped to greatly minimize the effects. Also, take your pill a few hours before you eat. This too will help minimize any side effects.

[strykern]

The coffee post caught my eye.  I have been getting up very early this week (week one) and I am a morning coffee addict.  Anyone else notice that coffee (and yes... cream) causes any problems the next day?

[jabez]

Coffee and cream in the morning seem to HELP me a lot.  Sometimes the Atripla leaves me with a mild hangover in the morning, and a strong cup of coffee & cream seems to wake me up. 

[Esquare]

high fat foods interfere with proper absorption of the Atripla into your system. 

I'm not saying that your doctor is wrong but I've asked my doctor about this one and he said that the interference would be minimal and nothing to be alarmed about. The reason I asked was because due to some late business dinners on other times zones and what not I have had to take my pill in the middle of dinner quite a bit.