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Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
should I change meds
Apr 16, 2008
I have been on Trizivir for four years and am experiencing facial wasting - should I switch to a combination of KIVEXA and ATAZANAVIR?
Response from Dr. Young
Thanks for your post.
AZT has been shown to increase the risk of developing fat loss. Assuming that your viral load has been undetectable, then dropping the AZT component of Trizvir, while continuing the abacavir/3TC parts (coformulated into Kivexa or Epzicom) and adding a third drug makes sense.
Atazanavir (Reyataz) would combine with Kivexa to be an AZT-free, three pill, once-daily regimen. Unless there's reason to think that your virus has protease inhibitor resistance, such a switch should work fine. (Just remember to take the medications with meals and ask your doctor about the use of antacids).
BY
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