FAQs About Epzicom (Abacavir/3TC, Kivexa) From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums
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
- I have been undetectable and doing well on Reyataz (atazanavir), Truvada (tenofovir/FTC) and Norvir (ritonavir) for four years now. Because my latest urinalysis showed some type of elevated protein in my kidneys, which apparently can be caused by Truvada in a small amount of cases, my doctor told me to switch from Truvada to Epzicom. What is your advice on this?
- I eat right and exercise frequently, but I still have problems with breast and belly fat. I've been on Combivir (AZT/3TC) + Reyataz (atazanavir), and now my doctor wants to switch me to Epzicom + Reyataz. Will this help or just make me fatter?
- My doctor wants to switch me to an Epzicom + Reyataz combination, to avoid long-term toxicity from my old regimen. I've read that Epzicom is no longer considered a "preferable" treatment. What should I do?
- I've been on Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) and Epzicom for a year and a half now. Because I also have hepatitis B, my doctor suggests that I switch from Epzicom to Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). How will this switch affect me?
- Should an African American who is successfully taking Epzicom and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) for two years switch to another drug such as Truvada (tenofovir/FTC)?
- There's been no improvement in my hepatitis B over the last six months, and my doctor thinks I should switch my Epzicom for Truvada (tenofovir/FTC). Why should I?
- I've noticed that my skin is getting darker, and I think it's because of my HIV meds. If I switch to Epzicom, as my doctor suggests, will this side effect be reversed?
- If I switch to Lexiva and Norvir, is Epzicom a good choice for my third drug? Please keep in mind that I am trying to reduce gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea and neuropathy.
Availability
Side Effects
- Since switching to Epzicom and Isentress (raltegravir), I've had tingling and stinging sensations in my hands and feet. Are these side effects from the meds?
- I've been on Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) + Epzicom for over four years, but now I'm developing a red, bumpy, circular rash on my shoulder. Is this a reaction to the Epzicom?
- I recently started Epzicom but had to stop because it made me feel hyperactive, to the point where I couldn't sleep without a sleep aid. Once I stopped taking Epzicom, the accelerated feeling went away. Could this have been a side effect?
- Does Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) + Epzicom cause facial wasting?
- After three years on Reyataz (atazanavir) + Epzicom, my cholesterol levels have gone over 200. I don't want to switch meds, but I know that it's important to have my cholesterol in the normal range. What can I do?
- Is my fatigue being caused by my medications, Epzicom + Kaletra, or is it something else?
- Since I started taking Viramune (nevirapine) + Epzicom , I've needed to take more insulin. Could this be because of a side effect from one of the meds?
- I have been on Epzicom + Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) for a year and a half. The lines around my mouth have sunken a bit. Will I experience any further fat loss on this combination?
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