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.
|
|
 |
 |
Side effects on Sustiva
Oct 8, 2009
Dear doctor,
I started my HIV treatment a month ago and I am on Sustiva and Kivexa taking medication only once a day before going to bed on an empty stomach. The first 2 weeks I was very dizzy, drowsy and had headaches. This disapeared after 2 weeks. I have been on them for a month now but feel no further improvment in the other side effects. I still feel tired, sad, have strange dreams and I anxienty. Especially in the last 2 weeks I get upset and angry about little things and it has happened a couple of times that I had to cry without any reason. I was never like this before and I am wondering if I should think of changing treatment or if I should wait longer especially as I can not see any stable trend of improvement.
Could I change to Nevirapine or Lopinavir instead of Sustiva?
I am also very afraid of fat loss and fat gain is also a concern. I have recently read a study that relates Sustiva with fat loss. How big is the risk of fat loss/gain if I take Sustiva? Could I reduce it if I took Nevirapine or Lopinavir instead? Do you know if I could reduce the risk of fatloss if I changed from Kivexa to Truvada? I read that Kivexa hat a sligthly higher risk in a study than Truvada.
I am also taking Propecia against hair loss since 8 years and its working good. I read that Sustiva can lower blood levels of propecia. Do you know if this is also the case for Kivexa, Truvada, Nevirapine or Lopinavir? My doctor did not know about this.
Sorry for asking that many questions but I am trying to find out what the best option is for me. I have been reading a lot in Thebody.com and I appreciate your help!
|
 |
|
Advertisement
Response from Dr. Henry
If you are still having problems with possible side effects from efavirenz after 4+ weeks a switch to nevirapine or lopinavir/ritonavir is worth discussing. Also-for some patients the dose of efavirenz can be adjusted (often after checking blood levels and if high decrease dose). Those other options are generally likely to be as fat friendly or maybe even more so than efavirenz (in the case of nevirapine). Propecia. Nevirapine can decrease Propecia levels-lopinavir probably has less of an effect. 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.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
E-Mail
Glossary
