Atripla

Precautions to keep in mind

Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

You should not use any of the following medicines while you are taking efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir:

• Astemizole (e.g., Hismanal®).
• Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid®).
• Ergot medicine (e.g., Wigraine® or Cafergot®).
• Lamivudine-containing medicines (e.g., Combivir®, Epivir®, Epivir-HBV®, Epzicom™, or Trizivir®).
• Midazolam (e.g., Versed®).
• Other anti-HIV medicines containing efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (e.g., Emtriva®, Sustiva®, Truvada®, or Viread®).
• Triazolam (e.g., Halcion®).
• Voriconazole (e.g., Vfend®).

A rare but serious reaction to this medicine is lactic acidosis (build-up of acid in the blood) and liver toxicity, including an enlarged liver. This is more common if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long time. Call your doctor right away if you experience abdominal discomfort or cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, discomfort, muscle cramping or pain, or unusual tiredness or weakness, trouble breathing, or if your skin or eyes have turned yellow.

This medicine may increase your risk of having serious mental or behavioral problems. Tell your doctor if you develop any mood changes, strange thoughts, or any unusual behavior while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may also increase your risk of developing fractures. Ask your doctor about this if you have any concerns.

If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting this medicine. This medicine may cause harm to the fetus if used during the first three months of pregnancy or if you become pregnant upon taking this medicine.

Birth control pills may not work while you are using this medicine. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.

You must avoid breast-feeding if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.

This medicine does not decrease the risk of transmitting the HIV infection to others through sexual contact or by contamination through blood. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Avoid sharing needles with anyone.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

While you are taking this medicine, be careful to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.