Any Tips on dealing with the foggyness caused by Atripla?

[stevie]

Hello there,

People here have helped me with my previous post so much, I thought I might do it again!  Thanks everyone!

I have started Atripla, 3 days ago.  I know that feeling foggy and light headed are very common side effects to this medication.  I would like to know what tips people have in dealing with or getting used to the foggyness.

I really want to make this medicine work for me and want to do my part in making that happen. 

I feel as though I can do things despite the light headedness, so I do.  I am trying to stay active and have a decent attitude.  I have avoided the gym, and do as little driving as possible, but maybe I should do the opposite?

Is there any foods/drinks/exercise that can actually reduce the light headedness?   Or do I just have to learn to accomodate it for the long term?

Thanks in advance for any responses to this.

Stevie, getting back on track.

[BobF]

I started Atripla yesterday, so haven't had the fogginess.   I had vivid dreams, but that's it for the first night!

[Dragonette]

Hi

Not sure what atripla contains but when I started sustiva, it made me punch drunk about an hour afetr taking it in the 1st month. i wouldn't fight it, and certainly not force myself to drive when i feel this way. sooner all later you will get used, but no point in accelerating, in my opinion.

good luck with it!

[fondeveau]

It will take time to get used to the medicine, but I believe that is why they recommend taking it at bedtime.  If you awake in the middle of the night, you might stumble a bit as you make your way down the hall, but as you generally won't be driving or operating heavy equipment in your pj's, you should be ok. 

Give it a little time and avoid high fat/heavy meals for about two hours prior to taking your meds.

[Gustavo]

Hello;
I just started, about three weeks ago; and It was pretty bad at the beginning, to the point that i considered stopping , now It just startted to get better.
 
I make sure I eat one hour after or two hours before; take it with a full glass of water'
try to go to sleep withing two hrs after  taking  it, take a hot shower before bed, and sometimes I make myself a tee with ginger root, honey and milk, ( Boil some shavings of ginger root  in a bit of water, then mix in the milk and honey) helps  me to relax.
( I am not an expert on anything, any suggestions are very welcome)

 I will find out in a couple of weeks how my numbers come out.

This is a wonderfull site, and I am glad that there is so much support and love.

[budndallastx]

i have been on Sustiva (component of Atripla) for about a year and the effects will pass. 

Take the pills before bedtime and be sure to get 8 hours of sleep.  Also, low fat meals 2 hours before taking the meds will help.  In the morning if you're still foggy, drink a good cup of Starbucks and that should clear any remaining fog.  It's tought the first couple of weeks but usually passes. 

If you still are having issues, talk to your doctor and see what your options are.  There always are options.

[DanKenny]

Hi,

You will do fine.  I started the same way, feeling really light-headed. what I did was to lengthen the time period betweeen taking the pills and after to about say 3 hours before and after.  And then go to bed immediately.  These foggyness will subside with time.

FWIW, I started meds in Feb and by april, I switched to taking it during the day.  I started taking it at 6am, and by 9am, most of the effects subside before I hit the road to work.  currently, I feel foggy when I eat within two hours of taking the meds....other than that, I am pretty ok with it.

So, take courage, you will get there...

alll the best - Danny

[MOONLIGHT1114]

I have been on Sustiva since Sept 2002, along with Truvda since Oct 2005.  I take the meds at bedtime and for 5 years I have had the lightheaded feeling.  It has never subsided for me.  When it hits, I know its time to go to bed.  I just hate that if I wake up overnight, I can't get back to sleep!  I am surprised that some people take it in the morning.  I'm going to ask my doc about this.  Also, the lightheadedness to me is more like being on a child's merry-go-round at a park, and I kinda like it, no problems there.  I just wouldn't want to drive while feeling this way!

[antibody]

my tip. switch!
i did. i feel so much better words can't describe.

[Gaguy2know]

my tip. switch!
i did. i feel so much better words can't describe.

are yousaying switch to Atripla or from it?  i was on atripla and also have bipolar disorder.  it caused really bad dreams and i didnt sleep much and exacerbated my manic and depressive states.  i had to be taken off and put back on my old regimen.

[antibody]

yes switch off it. i also had depression that sustiva made worse.

[schnitzer]

there's no way to fight it. . it's a great sleeping pill ..  i still get those foggy feelings but eventually it lightens up... 
it's like being a drug addict ..  eventually you'll need twice the dose to experience what you have today. .

[rick749]

A couple of strong cups of coffee seem to help me.

[Tempeboy]

Hey Stevie,  you should talk with your doctor

The ingredient most causing this side effect is almost definately Efavirenz / Sustiva

Some tips

Take at bedtime and at least 2 hours after ALL food, including snacks

Take when you have nothing left to do for the night except your bedtime routine

Monitor the severity and duration of the side effect - to see if it starts to improve

If it does start to improve, see how you go, if you can live with the side effects and the routine involved in taking this medication good and well, if not you could change to something else.

Switching from Sustiva to Nevirapine will allow a once daily dosing at any time ie breakfast or lunch leaving you the rest of the day.  Nevirapine is in the same class as Sustiva, can be taken once a day, but does not have the sedating, depressant or hallucinogenic side effects.  There are also many other drugs that can be taken instead of Sustiva.

interesting link - http://www.plwha.org.au/PLWHA/attachments/FS1_Efavirenz_Run-ons_V2.pdf

Some people prefer one pill once a day, so they perservere and many cope well.  Some prefer to avoid these side effects.  It all depends on your preferences.

Remember that the side effects will almost always manifest if you take Sustiva with food, no matter how long you have been taking Sustiva.  This can be a long and difficult committment to a fairly strict evening routine.

Take care

J x