Ask Your Colleagues about HIV Treatment Strategies

BROWSE ALL TOPICS:

Tenofovir + 3TC Adquate subsitute for Truvada Posted: Sep 4, 2006 QUESTION: Question: will an appropriate dosages of Tenofovir + 3TC have the same beneficial effects as Truvada? Background: I am a resident of Thailand, but US citizen. Truvada is not available in Thailand. 1. Last year, after reviewing a current CD4/viral load test and a history of past tests, my doctor in the US recommended that I start on Truvada + Sustiva. 2. Subsequently, my Thai doctor (did residency in San Francisco and is considered one of Thailand's HIV experts) recommended that I not go on drugs because: (1) my viral load is low, around 2000 - now around 9000 and CD4 count presently 250 (2) I have not had any HIV related illnesses (or any illnesses at all) since I was diagnosed as positive 3+ years ago and (3) truvada was not (and still is not) available in Thailand. This week, Tenofovir, one of the two ingredients of Truvada, became available in Thailand. However, Emptriva is not available. I've been told that 3TC is a viable substitute and it is available here. I was advised (not by my doctor) the following: - 3TC in the same class of drugs as Emptriva (an NRTI). - 3TC is listed as having the same adverse effects as Emptriva. - 3TC is available here in Thailand. I would greatly apreciate your comments, either by a direct email or a posting on your board to which I subscribe. Kind regards and thanks, G.


RESPONSE FROM: Dear G, You're doctor's correct, 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir) and FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva) are very similar drugs of the same class and very similar (and favorable) side effect profiles. FTC's major use here in the states is as a co-formulated product with tenofovir (Truvada) or with tenofovir and efavirenz (Atripla). Given that FTC isn't (yet) available in Thailand and the extensive clinical experience with tenofovir with 3TC, I'd have no hesitation in recommending this nucleoside backbone. Best of luck, BY

Terms of Use: Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body PRO, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum.

Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages. Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care.

The Body PRO is a service of Body Health Resources Corporation, 250 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10107. The Body PRO and its logos are trademarks of Body Health Resources Corporation, which owns the copyright of The Body PRO's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body PRO is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body PRO should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.