Can I survive on only one drug?
Jan 18, 2009
ARVs are dispensed as regimens of at least three types of drugs in order for them to be effective. This is what we call Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti
Dear Doctor,
I have been using antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), Truvada and Nevirapine for over three years and my health has greatly improved. My CD4, was 50 cells/ml when I started and rose to 350-cells/ml.
Recently, some of my Nevirapine drugs were stolen and for two months I have been taking only Truvada. However, I feel fine. When I went for my last CD4 count test, it had gone up by 100cells/ml from 350 to 450 cells/ml. Is it really necessary to swallow all the pills when Truvada can still do the job, considering these drugs are toxic to organs like the liver?
William
Dear William,
ARVs are dispensed as regimens of at least three types of drugs in order for them to be effective. This is what we call Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
This prevents HIV from becoming resistant to the drugs by changing its coat or characteristics through a process known as mutation. So what you are taking, Truvada (Tenofovir + Emitricitabine) is not HAART.
You may not feel or see any negative effects now but with time, you will. Drug combinations are more or less like dressing up.
You cannot put on a shirt and shoes without a pair of trousers and say you are not bothered! Always make sure you have all the drugs in your regimen before you take them instead of taking them in parts like you are doing.
Lastly, what you are doing is not only dangerous to you but to the community as well because if the drugs you are using cease being of help to you and you pass on the resistant virus to someone else, that person will not respond to the same drugs if they need to be put on ARVs.
This is because the virus will have developed resistance to them.
Dear Doctor,
I have been using antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), Truvada and Nevirapine for over three years and my health has greatly improved. My CD4, was 50 cells/ml when I started and rose to 350-cells/ml.
Recently, some of my Nevirapine drugs were stolen and for two months I have been taking only Truvada. However, I feel fine. When I went for my last CD4 count test, it had gone up by 100cells/ml from 350 to 450 cells/ml. Is it really necessary to swallow all the pills when Truvada can still do the job, considering these drugs are toxic to organs like the liver?
William
Dear William,
ARVs are dispensed as regimens of at least three types of drugs in order for them to be effective. This is what we call Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
This prevents HIV from becoming resistant to the drugs by changing its coat or characteristics through a process known as mutation. So what you are taking, Truvada (Tenofovir + Emitricitabine) is not HAART.
You may not feel or see any negative effects now but with time, you will. Drug combinations are more or less like dressing up.
You cannot put on a shirt and shoes without a pair of trousers and say you are not bothered! Always make sure you have all the drugs in your regimen before you take them instead of taking them in parts like you are doing.
Lastly, what you are doing is not only dangerous to you but to the community as well because if the drugs you are using cease being of help to you and you pass on the resistant virus to someone else, that person will not respond to the same drugs if they need to be put on ARVs.
This is because the virus will have developed resistance to them.