I am supposed to use two drugs, can I use one?
Jun 28, 2009
ANTIRETROVIRAL therapy (ART) is combination therapy, which means the drugs must be taken together. When selecting ARVs, we choose two from one group of ARVs known as Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) where drugs like Zidovudine and Lamiv
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti
Dear Doctor,
I have been getting free ARVs for over four years and my health has greatly improved. However, recently when I went to collect my drugs, one of them Efavirenz, was out of stock. I was given only Combivir and advised to buy Efavirenz for myself. I have no money and I am wondering whether I can use Combivir alone for sometime since I am told it contains two drugs. Please advise.
Mary
Dear Mary,
ANTIRETROVIRAL therapy (ART) is combination therapy, which means the drugs must be taken together. When selecting ARVs, we choose two from one group of ARVs known as Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) where drugs like Zidovudine and Lamivudine which form Combivir belong.
We combine them with one from another group known as non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (nNRTIs).
The three drugs working together help to suppress the virus. This is what is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
So when you take Combivir alone, you will be taking only two drugs instead of three and this is not HAART.
You may not feel any effects but with time, the virus will develop resistance and the drugs will fail which will lead you to developing opportunistic infections again because of your low CD4 count.
So, if you do not have all the drugs together, do not swallow any at all. Lastly, all ART programmes should ensure a constant supply of ARVs and should have a buffer stock of at least three months.
Write to health@newvision.co.ug
Dear Doctor,
I have been getting free ARVs for over four years and my health has greatly improved. However, recently when I went to collect my drugs, one of them Efavirenz, was out of stock. I was given only Combivir and advised to buy Efavirenz for myself. I have no money and I am wondering whether I can use Combivir alone for sometime since I am told it contains two drugs. Please advise.
Mary
Dear Mary,
ANTIRETROVIRAL therapy (ART) is combination therapy, which means the drugs must be taken together. When selecting ARVs, we choose two from one group of ARVs known as Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) where drugs like Zidovudine and Lamivudine which form Combivir belong.
We combine them with one from another group known as non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (nNRTIs).
The three drugs working together help to suppress the virus. This is what is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
So when you take Combivir alone, you will be taking only two drugs instead of three and this is not HAART.
You may not feel any effects but with time, the virus will develop resistance and the drugs will fail which will lead you to developing opportunistic infections again because of your low CD4 count.
So, if you do not have all the drugs together, do not swallow any at all. Lastly, all ART programmes should ensure a constant supply of ARVs and should have a buffer stock of at least three months.
Write to health@newvision.co.ug