HIV, human immunodeficiency virus causes HIV-infection. The last stage of HIV-infection is known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This disease carries away many people worldwide every year. Unfortunately, the medication for treatment of this disease has not been designed yet. AIDS distribution is great and the scientists in the whole world try to discover a drug to overcome AIDS. The treatment with anti-retroviral medications started in due time may stop HIV-infection progression and delay development to AIDS. The scientists have discovered some ways not to cure, but to delay the clinical course. This remedy is Atripla. Atripla is the first drug consisting of three anti-retroviral medications. The combination of three medications helps to increase Atripla efficiency and action.
After long clinical trials and investigations of Atripla the drug manufacturers Gilead Sciences and Bristol-Myers Squibb have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA to launch it at the market. Since July 12, 2006 Atripla is available for people and is successfully used in medicine. We’d like to consider the drug more thoroughly to understand if the drug components are good enough to fight such a serious virus.

Atripla is the drug combining three medications for HIV-infection treatment. Atripla is an anti-retroviral medication preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reproduction in the body. The drug works by inhibiting of human immunodeficiency virus growth, a virus causing AIDS. Atripla consists of three inhibitors of reverse transcriptase: efavirenz (Sustiva), emtricitabine (Emtrive) and tenofovir (Viread). These medications block reverse transcriptase enzymes. These enzymes change genetic material of HIV (RNA) into DNA form before the HIV genetic code is integrated into own genetic code of the infected cell. Atripla can be used as an independent medication and in combination with other anti-retroviral medications.
There is no standard procedure how to start the anti-retroviral therapy and use the medication. The doctor should examine you and recommend you the treatment course. The doctor will observe the virus symptoms and the response of your organism to anti-retroviral therapy. After examination, the doctor will prescribe a drug dosage for you. You should strictly follow it, as Atripla is not a simple anti-viral medication but AIDS medication and is very drastic. Correct drug use will help to be treated successfully without any adverse reactions of the organism.
Before Atripla use, consult the doctor about all contraindications and drug interactions. Atripla may interact with other drugs or additives you are taking. These interactions may change the drug amount in blood, and may cause overdose or decrease the drug effect, on the contrary. Therefore, inform your doctor on all drugs you are taking. Certain diseases may affect the treatment course. It is hepatitis, hepatic failure, epilepsy, osteopenia, mental diseases. Atripla is contra-indicated to the patients with hypersensitivity to any drug components. Alcohol during drug use is forbidden.
When all contraindications are considered, the treatment can be started. Drug advantage is in a single once-a-day taking, consequently the pressure of anti-retroviral mode is decreased. Drug is taken on an empty stomach at bedtime, to reduce the oppression of the body. A standard dose in adults makes one pill once a day. Each pill contains 600mg of efavirenz, 200mg of emtricitabine and 300mg of tenofovir. The drug dose may vary for every patient, so follow the doctor’s prescriptions.
Probably the most important for Atripla is side-effects. Please, take into consideration the side-effects because Atripla is a drastic drug. Usual Atripla side-effects include weariness, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin decolorization, joint pain, cough, muscles pain, stomach ache, itching, sometimes hallucination and sleeplessness. More serious side-effects may be observed during Atripla use. Therefore, if you observe any side-effect during drug use, inform the doctor and everything is going to be right.