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Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I’m Wanting To See If Anyone Here Has Used Atripla For Their HIV Medication And If So What Has Been Your Experience. I’m On Medicare

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Aubrey, TX

I have a part D supplement but the monthly cost of the Brand drugs is more than I can afford. Just seeing about the side effects and such.

October 7
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A myHIVteam Member

When I was first put on medications I was put on Atripla. I really don't remember much about being on it to be honest. I just remember it was hard for me to swallow it. Then again I was also dealing with AIDS at the time.

From what I heard, the most common side effects with Atripla (which may affect more than 1 patient in 10) are dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, asthenia (weakness), hypophosphataemia (low blood levels of phosphates) and elevated levels of creatine kinase (an enzyme found in muscles).

This might be of some help - https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144753/atrip...

Also - https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/arv-backgroun...

Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Atripla Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD
Atripla Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD
October 8
A myHIVteam Member

I used to take Atripla. It kept my VL undetectable and my CD4 count over 500.

As with many HIV meds I have taken, my cholesterol was high while taking Atripla. I tried loads of diet changes and exercise but nothing seemed to get it lower. So I had to take a statin.

Eventually, my doctors changed my meds because they wanted me to switch to something that might be better for cholesterol and bone density. So I switched to Descovy (and raltegravir) and my cholesterol went down a lot.

However, I stopped taking the statin at that point, so my cholesterol went back up.

I have since tried other combinations and my cholesterol has always been high. So this year, I started taking statins again (in the UK, they now recommend that everyone over 40 with HIV should take a statin.)

Hope it works out for you.

October 8
A myHIVteam Member

Thank You for your response to my question. I am going to try to go back to being vegetarian to see if this will help with the cholesterol and the Triglycerides.

October 7
A myHIVteam Member

When I started on it my cd4 was 84 with a very high viral load. It did it's magic very well with me. Cd4 normal with no viral load. Only thing was my triglycerides were off the chart. So I had to be switched after a couple of different meds to treat my triglycerides failed.

October 7
A myHIVteam Member

Thanks for advising me, how was you viral load and such?

October 7

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