What is Atripla?
Atripla contains 3 different drugs: Sustiva (efavirenz), Emtriva (emtricitabline), and Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) in one pill. This makes it easier to stay on a drug regimen and not allow HIV to gain resistance. The Emtriva and Viread are HIV nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and Sustive is an HIV non-nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Atripla can be taken by itself or as part of a drug plan to treat HIV infection. It has not being studied in children under 18 or adults over 65 years.
How Atripla Works
HIV infection destroys CD4-T cells, which are the cells that help fight infections. After a large number of the cells are destroyed by HIV, acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS develops. Atripla works by blocking certain enzymes in your body that HIV needs to multiply. The chemical that Atripla helps block is called reverse transcriptase. Atripla may also help increase the number of CD4-T cells, allowing your immune system to improve. Increasing the number of CD4-T cells and lowering the amount of HIV in your blood can lower the chance of infections that can occur when your immune system is weak.
Does Atripla cure HIV?
Atripla is not a cure for HIV infection or AIDS. Patients on Atripla may still get opportunistic infections (OI’s) or other conditions that happen with HIV infection. OI’s are infections that develop because the immune system is weak. Conditions such as: pneumonia, herpes virus, and mycobacterium avium complex infections. It is recommended that you see your healthcare provider regularly while taking Atripla.
It is very important to note that taking Atripla does not reduce the risk of passing HIV to other people through sexual contact, sharing needles or being exposed to your blood.
Is Atripla right for you?
Always consult a healthcare provider to see if Atripla is right for you. You should not take Atripla if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Its active ingredients are: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
There are also inactive ingredients such as: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate. The film coating contains black iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
You should tell your healthcare provider if:
- You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding
- Have kidney problems
- Bone problems
- Liver problems (including Hepatitis B Virus infection)
- History of mental illness or seizures
Using Atripla
Always take the exact dose of Atripla that your healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not change or stop taking this medication unless your healthcare provider has instructed you. Atripla should be taken on an empty stomach and with a glass of water. You can take it at bedtime and it may help to make some side effects less bothersome. It is important not to miss a dose of Atripla, but if you forget to take a dose then take it right away unless it’s time for the next does. Then just take your next dose, do not double your dose.
You can click on this link to see Atripla Side Effects .
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