Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
This Forum is made possible in part by Gilead and GlaxoSmithKline.
Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
shortage of reyataz.
Nov 20, 2007
I WAS PUT ON ARV`S 4 MONTHS AGO AFTER MY CD4 COUNT DROPPED TO 160 AND 8%. THE MEDS ARE TRUVADA , NORVIR 150MG AND REYATAZ 300MG, ALL TAKEN ONCE A DAY.MY CD4 COUNT HAS RISEN TO 610 AND 16% WITH UNDECTABLE VIRAL LOAD.I ALSO HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS AFTER THE FIRST MONTH AND I HAVE HAD 100% ADHERRENCE TO THE MEDS. MY PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF SOME OF THE MEDS IN MY COUNTRY HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA. ON MY LAST SCRIPT I COULD NOT GET REYATAZ 150MG AND I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO GET REYATAZ 200MG. I AM NOW TAKING REYATAZ 400MG,TRUVADA AND NORVIR 100MG. I STILL HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS.CAN I CONTINUE TAKING REYATAZ AT THE CURRENT 400MG UNTIL I CAN GET THE CORRECT DOSAGE OR DO I ASK MY DOCTOR TO SWITCH TO KALETRA? HOWEVER THERE IS ALSO A MASSIVE SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS AND CAN ONLY SEE MY DOCTOR IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS TIME. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Response from Dr. Young
Thanks for your post from South Africa.
While the 400 mg dose of atazanavir with ritonavir may result in increased frequency of yellowing of the skin or eyes, if you don't have these symptoms, it would appear that you're doing fine.
I would continue on the current 400 mg dose until the more appropriate 300 mg dose is available. If you should develop significant side effects, certainly contact your doctor; know that lopinavir/ritonavir could be a viable substitute if needed.
Best of health to you,
BT
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
