FAQs About Epzicom (Abacavir/3TC, Kivexa)

From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums

January 1, 2012

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Starting Treatment | Switching Treatment | Adherence | Availability | Side Effects

Starting Treatment

I am 37 years old and have been HIV positive for about two years. My doctor wants me to start treatment. He gave me two choices: Epzicom + Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) or Combivir (AZT/3TC) + Sustiva. I have no liver or kidney issues. Which of these regimens is better for me to start with?
It seems that most of the studies have paired Isentress (raltegravir) with Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Is there any reason to believe that Epzicom would not work equally well with Isentress?
My doctor thinks I should start treatment with Epzicom + Viramune (nevirapine). I'm a model so I need a regimen without obvious side effects. Is this a good choice?
Is it better to take Epzicom or Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) with Reyataz (atazanavir)?
I've never taken meds before, and my doc tells me my choice is between Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) + Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) or Viramune (nevirapine) + Epzicom. Which combo is better for sequencing?
Since I was diagnosed two years ago, my viral load has been under 10,000, but my T cells have gone up and down. I feel great, but should I start meds? The doctor wants me on Viramune (nevirapine) + Epzicom. What do you think?
I've already made up my mind to take Reyataz (atazanavir), but need to figure out the rest of my drug regimen. My doctor suggested either Videx (didanosine, ddI) + Emtriva (emtricitabine, FTC) or Epzicom. What do you think?
I recently began a regimen of Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) + Epzicom. What are your thoughts on this regimen? How soon can I expect failure or resistance? If that happens, what other options do I have?
My doctor started me on Trizivir -- two components of which make up Epzicom -- even though it's not suggested for first-line treatment. I've done really well on this drug, and I wonder why more treatment-naive HIVers don't use it.
I'm starting to take Ziagen (abacavir) + Epivir (3TC, lamivudine) + lopinavir (Epivir + Ziagen = Epzicom). Are there any comments you can offer about my medication regimen?

Switching Treatment

Adherence

Availability

Is there any chance that Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Epzicom will be made available as a single-pill combination like Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC)?

Side Effects

For frequently asked questions on other HIV/AIDS topics, click here.

Epzicom

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This article was provided by The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums.

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