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FAQs About Truvada (Tenofovir/FTC) From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums
Starting Treatment
- My HIV diagnosis has just been confirmed, although I think it's likely my infection dates back a number of years. My CD4 count is 94 and I'm about to start treatment, even though I've been told that I don't have any "real symptoms" yet. Does this sound OK -- and is Truvada a good medication to start with?
- I'm about to start treatment with Truvada and Viramune (nevirapine). The instructions only tell me to have them with a glass of water, but could food make a difference as well? I'm not sure whether to have them in the morning -- I usually skip breakfast -- or at night, when I would have them with a healthy dinner.
- My doctor recommends that I start treatment with Reyataz (atazanavir), Norvir (ritonavir) and a two-drug combination pill like Truvada or Combivir (AZT/3TC). By my count that's four HIV meds, and I thought most people started by taking three. Do I really need to take all four meds?
- Before I started taking Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada, I was petrified of starting HIV meds. But after a month on meds, my CD4 count rose from 231 to 510. Aside from some bizarre dreams and a little dizziness at the beginning, I've had no side effects. I'm amazed! I've learned that you don't have to let HIV control your life.
- My CD4 count is under 200. For my first drug regimen, should I take Truvada or Combivir (AZT/3TC) along with Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin)?
Switching Treatment
Dosage
Side Effects
- I've been taking Viramune (nevirapine) and Truvada since 2004. Recently I've started taking digestive enzymes and other dietary supplements to help with some gas and bloating problems. Can the enzymes and supplements I'm taking interact with my HIV meds?
- Would there be any detrimental effect to my regimen if I were to take a fish oil capsule at the same time as my HIV meds? Would it be better if I took fish oil at a different time of day? I'm currently taking Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada.
- I started taking Reyataz (atazanavir), Truvada and Norvir (ritonavir) last night. I was bracing myself for a bad reaction, but so far I'm feeling fine. What side effects should I be looking out for? For instance, are any of these meds likely to cause facial or body fat changes?
- I just started taking Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada and I feel completely knocked out. It may be partly due to some other health issues I've been going through, but I am dizzy, have memory loss, feel spaced out and there's a ringing in my ears. I can barely live with these side effects, much less work. What can I do?
- My husband just switched to Truvada two weeks ago. Yesterday his hands started shaking in a way that reminds us of someone who has Parkinson's disease. Is this symptom the result of his starting Truvada?
- I've been experiencing an awful lot of gas buildup lately, and I'm passing more gas than I usually do. Could my HIV meds -- Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin) and Truvada -- have anything to do with it? Is there anything I can do to deflate?
- Since I started Truvada + Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin), I've experienced itching all over my body. Is this related to the Truvada?
- I've never been on HIV meds before. What side effects will I experience taking Truvada + Sustiva (efavirenz, Stocrin)?
Coinfections
Truvada as PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
Availability
For frequently asked questions on other HIV/AIDS topics, click here.
This article was provided by The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums.
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