Forum on Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment: Scared to take meds if drunk

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.

		Scared to take meds if drunk Mar 18, 2009 Hi there, May I say that this is an excellent forum! I was diagnosed in February 2009. My cd4 count was 298, Viral load 3000. I was advised to start meds - Truvada and Stocrin (Sustiva)immediately for the best possible future. I am on the meds now but have in the past been a heavy whisky drinker - I have been trying to control this. The other night I had far too much (more than 500ml) and was scared to take my meds for fear of an adverse reaction. I know that adherence is crucial. Obviously I should control my drinking, but what should I do in a situation like this? Should I still take the meds even though I am very drunk - or should I skip it for that night? Thanks for all your advice to everyone on here.


Advertisement Response from Dr. Henry Generally OK to take Truvada + Stocrin after drinking alcohol-as a habit better to take meds regularly than off and on depending on alcohol consumption. Possibly could have excessive central nervous side effects with efavirenz after drinking perhaps more so if eating lots of fatty foods while drinking. KH Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!

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.

Copyright notice.

The Body is a service of Body Health Resources Corporation, 250 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10107. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Body Health Resources Corporation, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your healthcare provider.