reyataz and alcohol

[camille07]

I went away for two days for my birthday to Atlantic City.  I don't really drink but had a few martinis yesterday.  This morning I had yellowing at the bottom of my eyes.  I know the reyataz causes yellowing but now I'm concerned that I might have over done it with the drinking with taking reyataz.

Any advice?

Camms

[mecch]

Happy Birthday.
How long have you been on Reyataz?

When I was on it a few months, I didn't get a bright yellow side effect, but a bit yellow at the beginning. And a couple of drinks would make it worse the next day.

I drank A LOT OF water when I was on Reyataz, the doctor said this would help a bit keeping everything flushed.  It seemed to.

If you've never had much yellowing and been on awhile, I guess you are just at the threshold for the visile bilirubin reaction, and now you know a few drinks are going to show up visually the day after.

perhaps you should prepare by drinking a lot of water before and after festive evenings.

[BM]

Hi camille07. I'm also on Reyataz and have noticed the bottom of my eyes becoming yellow. Also, the usually red skin you see when you pull down your eyelid is becoming yellow on me. Might your eyes have been yellow before now and you just happened to notice it after a few drinks?

[newt]

Yes, this happens but it's not dangerous - matt

[camille07]

I've been  Reyataz since December.  I've had the yellowing once before....so I've gotten into the habit of checking my eyes.

[mecch]

If you've been on since december, then you are past the initiation risk period when you would have turned bright yellow!
so now you know - its just the drinks and the bilirubin level after the drinks.
so drink a lot of water, you are supposed to anyway with reyataz.
and wear nice shades the next day

[BM]

Hello again, camille07. I had a few drinks with friends last night (probably more than I should have), and yes, my eyes are quite insanely yellow today! It's strange that patient literature doesn't mention this (and also that I'd never noticed the effect before).

I also had no idea that you're supposed to drink more water on Reyataz. Could this explain my constantly dark (almost brown) urine?

[mecch]

The advice to drink water on Reyataz is to help prevent the possible side effect of kidney stones. 

If you your piss is brown, I would suggest you experiment with drinking a lot more fluids and also talk to your doctor to check regularly, just to make sure your bilirubin levels are not an indication of liver stress. Brown piss could also mean blood in your piss. not good.

However, Reyataz is known to increase bilirubin BUT not harm the liver, so there can be fears where there should be none.

[rachel2008]

I am on the same medication - and also have an issue with yellowing eyes that drive me nuts.  I have found two home remedies.

- Drink lots of tomato juice and add a little salt and pepper

- Add two tablespoons of oregano to boiling water- mix and let stand for 10 minutes- strain - and drink - this is defiantly the most unpleasant of the two but works.

Good luck

Rachel

[antibody]

I read that drinking lots of orange juice helps keep away kidney stones. I have been drinking it daily and hope to never get them. its my only real fear with this combo. Is kidney stones. I've heard they hurt like hell. And I can't imagine pissing a jagged ball of Reyataz.