Dear Doctors, I just came apon this site while doing research on lypoatrophy/distrophy. Here is my question- I have been on Combivir and Sustiva since I was a trial canidate in 1997. It has been extremely successful for me (last labs,non-detect and CD4 count of 685-same range for all these years). I am a very healthy and lucky person BUT since about a year ago family members and friends have asked where my butt has gone and why I have such prominent viens in my legs. I also have a bulging belly that I have to hold in all the time. My cholestrol levels are 249-299 with a low cholestrol diet and good gene make up. I read Sustiva is most likely the culprit and would like to change that drug to something else before this gets much worse. My own doctor only suggested me adding Lipitor. Instead of adding another drug I would prefer to substitute if possible. Thanks in advance and great site! Suggestions please.

Though efavirenz may contribute to increased belly fat and higher cholesterol the Combivir may also contribute (consider switch to Truvada or Epzicom if HLA B5701 negative and not at for heart disease). Switching off efavirenz to a boosted PI or raltegravir has not been studied much so at this time the impact on belly fat and cholesterol is uncertain. Efavirenz usually compares favorably to protease inhibitors for those parameters and data is still limited for raltegravir but that appears to be a promising option. Diet, exercise, fish oil, fibrates, and/or statins all can improve elevated lipids in this setting. KH