Did your doctor prescribe this medication to treat your HIV infection? It has a long name, so you may be familiar with it by the brand name Biktarvy. Whatever the name, it's normal to have a few questions and concerns when starting a new medication. "What will happen with this?", "How do I take it?", "What should I be careful of?" You may be wondering. Don't be afraid. In this article, we'll answer all your questions in a simple, friendly way and explain everything.
Simply put, what kind of medicine is this?
This is a medicine that helps control the symptoms of HIV infection. To be precise, it is a combination of three medicines . These three medicines work together to stop the HIV virus from spreading inside your body, that is, the virus from making copies of itself. Think of the virus as a copy machine. What this medicine does is to stop the copy machine from working.
But it's important to remember this: This medicine does not completely cure HIV or AIDS. It does, however, control the virus and help you live a healthy, normal life.
Also, even when you are taking this medicine, there is still a chance that you can pass on the HIV virus to someone else, that is, you can get infected. Therefore, it is very important to follow safe methods. This medicine does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
For your safety and the success of your treatment, it is essential that you inform your doctor of the following before starting this medication. Do not hide these things, as this information will determine the most suitable treatment for you.
| Matter to be informed | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have kidney disease . | This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, so if you have any kidney problems, you may need to adjust the dosage or take special care. |
| You have liver disease.If there is. | The liver processes most of the medications in our body. If there is a problem with the liver, the doctor should be aware of it. |
| If you have an allergy to the ingredients of this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye . | This is something that must be said to avoid serious allergic reactions. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby . | You should talk to your doctor about using medication during pregnancy and choose the safest method. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother . | Some medications can pass to the baby through breast milk, so it's important to talk to your doctor about this. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of your treatment, it is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed, at the right time.
- This pill should be taken orally with a glass of water.
- You can take this with or without food . However, if you sometimes experience stomach upset, taking it with food may help reduce it.
- If the pill is too big to swallow, you can break it in half . However, if you do, you should drink both pieces within 10 minutes. Do not drink one piece and then wait until the other is drunk.
- Most importantly: Don't skip doses for any reason. If you skip doses, the HIV virus can become resistant to this medicine and even other medicines. This means that later on, this medicine may not work for you. Therefore, continue taking this treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
How do I take this with other medications and supplements?
Be especially careful about this.
- If you are taking an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, such as for heartburn, do not take it at the same time as this medicine. If you are taking an antacid, take it 6 hours after taking this medicine, or 2 hours before taking this medicine.
- If you are taking a supplement containing calcium or iron, take it at the same time as this medicine, with food.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, don't panic and take action immediately.
Immediately call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
It is possible, but try to avoid it as much as possible. You may want to take a dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can cause problems when taken together with this medicine, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
| Do not take these with this medicine! | |
|---|---|
| - Adefovir | - Any medicine containing Lamivudine |
| - Dofetilide | - Rifampin |
| Be especially careful with these medications. | |
| - Antacids | - Some antibiotics (e.g. rifabutin, rifapentine) |
| - Some medications used for seizures (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin) | - Medicines for other viral infections (e.g. acyclovir, ganciclovir) |
| - Metformin | - Painkillers (NSAIDs) (e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) |
| - St. John's wort (herbal supplement) | - Sucralfate |
| - Supplements containing calcium or iron | |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about everything you are taking , including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and vitamins . It is also important to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
Other things to keep in mind when taking the medicine
- Regular medical check-ups: Keep in touch with your doctor to check the progress of your treatment. Go to the clinics on the scheduled dates. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, tell your doctor. You may also need to have several blood tests during this time.
- HIV Transmission: HIV is spread through sexual activity or blood. Talk openly with your doctor about how you can prevent this.
- Special note for Hepatitis B patients: If you also have Hepatitis B infection, do not stop taking this medication suddenly for any reason without medical advice. Doing so may cause your Hepatitis B symptoms to suddenly worsen.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Watch out for the following symptoms.
| If you experience these symptoms, inform your doctor as soon as possible. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| High lactic acid level | Muscle pain or stiffness, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, general discomfort, and extreme fatigue. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Symptoms of kidney injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness. |
| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| - Diarrhea | - Headache |
| - Nausea | |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any other unusual symptoms, seek medical advice.
How to store medicine safely?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Bottles: Store below 30 degrees Celsius (30°C). Keep the bottle cap tightly closed. Keep in the original bottle until ready to drink.
- Blister Pack: Store at room temperature (20°C - 25°C). Keep in the original package until ready to drink.
- When throwing away expired or unwanted medications, check the label to see if they should be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your doctor. If it is safe to throw them in the trash, take the pills out of the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and seal them in a bag or container and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine controls the HIV virus, but does not cure it completely. So continue to follow safe methods.
- To prevent the virus from becoming resistant to medication, do not skip a dose of medication for any reason.
- Don't forget to tell your doctor about any other medications you take, even vitamins.
- Be aware of any serious side effects (especially those affecting the liver, kidneys, or allergies). If you experience any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice, especially if you have hepatitis B.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment