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Is it safe to take ARVs if I am pregnant? Can I take ARVs whilst on TB treatment? Can I take ARVs at different times? Is it safe for an HIV positive mother to breastfeed? Is ART a cure for HIV? Does ART have side effects? What happens if I stop taking treatment? Can I change the time of my medication from evening to morning? Is it safe to take Reydin if I usually take Acriptega? What is the difference between brand-name drugs and generic versions? Is it safe to take supplements and ARVs while pregnant? Can I switch from TEE to TLD? Can I buy ARVs from the pharmacy? Can I take traditional medicines (Imbiza) if I am on ARVs? Is there an immune booster to make my viral load lower? Can immune boosters help increase your CD4? How can I boost my CD4 count without ARVs? When should I start treatment? What is PrEP? How does PrEP work?

FAQ

  • Is it safe to take ARVs if I am pregnant?

    I just found out that I am pregnant, and have HIV. Is it safe for me to take ARVs?

    It is advisable for pregnant women to be on ARVs in order to protect the baby from getting infected.

  • Can I take ARVs whilst on TB treatment?

    Can I take ARVs whilst on TB treatment?

    Yes you can take both ARVs and TB treatment. If newly diagnosed, you must be on TB treatment for two weeks before starting ARVs. An additional 50mg of Dolutegravir is added if you are on TB treatment and TLD.

  • Can I take ARVs at different times?

    Can I take ARVs at different times?

    You must make sure that your take your treatment at the same time daily in order to maintain your drug levels and prevent the virus from becoming detectable. If you forget to take them at the right time, do take them as soon as possible. Try not to make it a habit, and don’t skip doses.

  • Is it safe for an HIV positive mother to breastfeed?

    Is it safe for an HIV positive mother to breastfeed?

    Yes, it is safe and recommended for all mothers to breastfeed regardless of their HIV status.

  • Is ART a cure for HIV?

    Is ART a cure for HIV?

    No, ART is a combination of drugs which suppress the virus, it does not cure HIV. A person must take ART for the rest of their life as we don’t have an HIV cure yet.

  • Does ART have side effects?

    DOES ART HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?

    Yes, ART does have side effects. And they vary depending on which regimen you are on. They range from minor to severe. The current first line regimen TLD i.e. Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir have all been proven to have less severe side effects, but some people can experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches. These do clear after a few days. One common side effect that tends to last longer with this regimen is insomnia, which can be resolved by taking your treatment in the morning. There are also cases of weight gain with this regimen.

  • What happens if I stop taking treatment?

    WHAT HAPPENS IF I STOP TAKING TREATMENT?

    Your viral load will rebound quickly (maybe within a week). Your CD4 is likely to drop, though this takes a little longer to change. The viral rebound will usually be to the level your viral load was at before you started HIV treatment.

  • Can I change the time of my medication from evening to morning?

    I HAVE BEEN SWITCHED TO TLD AND HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP FOR A FEW DAYS NOW, CAN I CHANGE THE TIME OF MY MEDICATION FROM EVENING TO MORNING?

    One of the side effects that people experience with TLD is insomnia, switching the time of your medication will not be a problem. It is important that you find a time that works best for you.

  • Is it safe to take Reydin if I usually take Acriptega?

    MY BROTHER WENT TO GET HIS TREATMENT AND WAS GIVEN A PACKAGE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HE USUALLY GETS, HE USUALLY TAKES ACRIPTEGA AND THIS TIME THEY GAVE HIM REYDIN. IS IT SAFE FOR HIM TO TAKE THIS MEDIATION?

    Yes, it is safe. ACRIPTEGA and REYDIN are actually the same combination of Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir, this combination is called TLD. They have different names, branding and colour because they are manufactured by different companies. But the Active ingredients are the same and they work exactly the same way.

  • What is the difference between brand-name drugs and generic versions?

    WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRAND-NAME DRUGS AND GENERIC VERSIONS?

    The main difference between generics and brand-name drugs is just the cost. Generic drugs cost much less than brand-name counterparts. The active ingredients for the generic and brand versions are both the same. Generic drugs might be a different shape, size or colour but they have the same active ingredients. They are just as effective and also have the same risk of side effects.

  • Is it safe to take supplements and ARVs while pregnant?

    IS IT SAFE TO TAKE SUPPLEMENTS AND ARVS WHILE PREGNANT?

    As with everything to do with your pregnancy, please ask your doctor or clinic about everything. Many vitamins of supplements especially those that you get from your healthcare provider will be fine. Some, like folic acid, are recommended.

  • Can I switch from TEE to TLD?

    CAN I SWITCH FROM TEE TO TLD?

    Yes, it is safe to switch from TEE to TLD. Many countries are starting to adopt TLD as first line as it is better tolerated than TEE with fewer side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

  • Can I buy ARVs from the pharmacy?

    I AM AWAY A LOT FOR WORK AND FIND IT HARD TO GET TO THE CLINIC. CAN I BUY ARVS FROM THE PHARMACY?

    No, you need a prescription in order to be able to buy ARVs, a general practitioner can give you a prescription that is valid and renewable every six months.

  • Can I take traditional medicines (Imbiza) if I am on ARVs?

    CAN I TAKE TRADITIONAL MEDICINES (IMBIZA) IF I AM ON ARVS?

    It is not recommended because it is unknown which interactions “Imbiza” has with ARVs, there might be a risk of the “Imbiza” reducing your drug levels and this can lead to resistance. It is better to take only medicines prescribed to you at the health facility.

  • Is there an immune booster to make my viral load lower?

    I AM TAKING ARV’S FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW BUT MY VIRAL LOAD DOESN’T GO DOWN. INSTEAD IT IS GOING UP.

    There is no such thing as an Immune Booster. Even though companies might claim this in advertising, they just want your money. None of these products have any evidence that they boost your immune system. There is no evidence they help for HIV or any other illness. If your viral load is still high and detectable after a year, you are likely to have drug resistance. Using new HIV drugs is the only thing that will help.

  • Can immune boosters help increase your CD4?

    CAN IMMUNE BOOSTERS HELP INCREASE YOUR CD4?

    The only thing that can help a person improve their CD4 count is ARVs. If you’re on meds, you’re already doing the best thing possible.

  • How can I boost my CD4 count without ARVs?

    HOW CAN I BOOST MY CD4 COUNT WITHOUT ARVS?

    The only way to increase your CD4 is to use HIV treatment (ART). Nothing else, including multi vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies can increase your CD4 count.

  • When should I start treatment?

    WHEN SHOULD I START TREATMENT?

    Everyone who tests positive for HIV, should be initiated on treatment as soon as possible regardless of CD4 count.

  • What is PrEP?

    WHAT IS PREP?

    PrEP stands for Pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is a combination of two ARVs, used to protect HIV negative people from HIV.

  • How does PrEP work?

    HOW DOES PREP WORK?

    When taken every day, PrEP, stops HIV from being able to multiply and take hold within the body.

  • Keep going!

    Well done on completing this Learn More section!

    Keen to keep learning? Check out these sections next.

Is it safe to take ARVs if I am pregnant? Can I take ARVs whilst on TB treatment? Can I take ARVs at different times? Is it safe for an HIV positive mother to breastfeed? Is ART a cure for HIV? Does ART have side effects? What happens if I stop taking treatment? Can I change the time of my medication from evening to morning? Is it safe to take Reydin if I usually take Acriptega? What is the difference between brand-name drugs and generic versions? Is it safe to take supplements and ARVs while pregnant? Can I switch from TEE to TLD? Can I buy ARVs from the pharmacy? Can I take traditional medicines (Imbiza) if I am on ARVs? Is there an immune booster to make my viral load lower? Can immune boosters help increase your CD4? How can I boost my CD4 count without ARVs? When should I start treatment? What is PrEP? How does PrEP work?

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