Forum on Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment: getting ready to start meds for the first time..

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		getting ready to start meds for the first time.. Jan 16, 2009 Hi Dr Keith, first of all l would like to thank you for your time and help... my last blood test was %25 and CD4 370 and virol load 86,000.. my doctor asked me it looks like my next test will see me on meds.. Dr Keith l am so scared of meds and the side effects... can you please help me in picking a once daily tablet to be taken in the morning with the least side effects and toxicity possible... my doctor has told me l can take ritonavir with atazanavir once daily in the morning.... is that all l would need to take ??? or would l need a 3rd drug put into the mix ??? please answer....thank you Rodney


Advertisement Response from Dr. Henry In my experience an increasing % of patients have little to no side effects after one year of HIV meds (often I will change or tweak an initial regimen due to an annoying side effect in order to minimize any side effects experience by a patient). ritonavir boosted atazanavir based regimens are generally very well tolerated. I have scores of patients on that type of regimen and the majority have little or no complaints about the drugs at this point. I do recommend using with another once a day drug such as Truvada or Epzicom (latter if HLV B5701 negative). KH Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!

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