Efavirenz, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir are each approved by the FDA for treatment of HIV infection. Also, efavirenz and emtricitabine are approved for use in HIV infected children. These three medicines are frequently prescribed together, the manufacturers have combined them into one tablet. Atripla (Tenovir/Emtricitabine/Efavirenz) came onto the market in July of 2006 as a FDA approved treatment for HIV. Atripla may be used as a complete regimen or in combination with other anti retroviral.
This has made Atripla a leading medication in the battle against HIV and has help simplifiy HIV regimens a great deal. This helps to make dealing with HIV simplier and the drug regimens more effective because it reduces forgotten doses. This helps to reduce the amount of drug resistant mutations that occur due to misdoses.
Atripla does not cure or prevent HIV infection or HIV/AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people. Along with its desired effects, Atripla can cause some unwanted effects. Serious side effects of efavirenz include abnormal thinking, confusion, depression, hallucinations, memory loss, paranoid thinking, and thoughts of suicide. Some people can develop a bad rash. The medicine in Atripla can cause blood problems, muscle weakness, liver disease, blood problems and fatal lactic acidosis. You should tell your doctor if while taking Atripla you suffer from pain in your joints, muscles, stomach and weakness, trouble with breathing, nausea, a feeling of cold, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, jaundice, dark urine and loss of appetite. Patients should notify their doctor if they have any of the side effects listed. Often side effects that are not as serious generally lessen with continued use of Atripla. Patients should tell their doctor if these side effects continue or are severe. Stopping Atripla can cause a adverse reaction if you are infected with hepatitis B.
Tags: AIDS, Atripla, HIV, HIV medication