Anti-HIV Agent

Recently Answered

• QWhat should I know about Atripla before taking it?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Some components of Atripla have been linked to higher rates of psychiatric problems, kidney disease, liver disease, and two conditions called lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis. All of these complications may result in death. If you take Atripla while you are pregnant, it may cause damage to your fetus. Those with chronic hepatitis B infection, or HBV, who stop taking Atripla may worsen their HBV. You and your doctor must consider all potential risks and benefits before making a decision to prescribe Atripla.

• QAre there any risks in taking Atripla?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  You may have an allergic reaction to Atripla that could be serious. Some components of Atripla have been linked to higher rates of psychiatric problems, kidney disease, liver disease, loss of bone density, and two conditions called lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis. All of these complications may result in death. If you take Atripla while you are pregnant, it may cause damage to your fetus. Those with chronic hepatitis B infection, or HBV, who stop taking Atripla may worsen their HBV. You and your doctor must consider all potential risks and benefits before making a decision to prescribe Atripla.

• QWhat is Atripla?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Atripla is an anti-HIV, or antiretroviral, medication prescribed to treat HIV infection. HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus, causes AIDS, a syndrome that attacks your immune system. Atripla combines three different anti-HIV drugs in one: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenfovir. Atripla does not cure HIV or keep you from infecting others, but does prevent the growth of the virus, thereby mitigating its harm to your immune system.

• QWhat should I avoid while taking Atripla?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  While on Atripla, you should avoid taking certain medications that may increase the risk of overdose and buildup of Atripla. Tell your doctor all the medications that you are currently taking before having Atripla prescribed for you. Becoming pregnant while on Atripla may harm your baby.  Alcohol may increase some side effects, and it's possible that this medication interferes with thinking and reaction times. You should also avoid any unsafe behavior that may spread HIV, as Atripla does not protect against transmitting or contracting HIV.

• QIs Atripla safe for long-term use?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Using Atripla over a long period and discontinuing it may both have harmful effects. Lactic acidosis, a life-threatening condition, may result from long-term use of tenofovir, one of the three drugs that make up Atripla. On the other hand, if you have hepatitis B infection while taking tenofovir or emtricitabine, another drug in Atripla, stopping your doses may worsen your hepatitis. It is up to you and your doctor to consider all potential risks and benefits of taking Atripla against the harm of your HIV.

• QIs there a generic version of Atripla?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  There is currently no generic version of Atripla available. Patents for the three component medications of Atripla - efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenfovir  - prevent other companies than the patents’ owner from manufacturing a generic version. These patents do not expire until July 2017. Lawsuits and other obstructions may prevent a generic version from coming to the market until even later.

• QWho should not take Atripla?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  If you have an allergy to any component of Atripla - efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenfovir - you should not take Atripla. Pregnant women should avoid Atripla due to risk of birth defects. Those taking certain other medications should not take Atripla, including Combivir, D.H.E. 45, Emtriva, Epivir, Epzicome, Ergomar, Ergotrate, Halcion, Migranal, Propulsid, St. John’s wort, Sustiva, Trizivir, Truvada, Versed, Vfend, and Viread.

• QHow soon after taking Atripla will my symptoms improve?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Atripla is designed more to prevent symptoms from getting worse than to improve them. HIV and the syndrome it causes, AIDS, attack your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to infection by other disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Atripla prevents HIV virus from growing and thereby prevents further destruction of your immune system. Atripla does not treat symptoms of diseases caught due to an immune system depressed by HIV.

• QIs Atripla safe for pregnant or breast-feeding women?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Atripla is not safe for pregnant women. Taking Atripla while you are pregnant may cause birth defects. Researchers have not yet sufficiently studied the effects of Atripla on breast-feeding, but this does not mean no harm may come to your baby while breast-feeding on Atripla. Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV-positive women as it can pass on the virus.

• QHow should I take Atripla?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Atripla comes in the form of a tablet. You should take Atripla exactly as your doctor and the medication guide that comes with it prescribe. This means that you should not alter the dose or time that you take it or stop taking it unless your doctor orders you to, even if your symptoms improve. Take Atripla on an empty stomach, with water, just before you go to sleep at night. Do not skip or stop doses even if you feel better.