Question:

I am writing to you from S. Africa.
My husband has been on Combivir and Stocrin for a year now and I have to wonder if some of his side effects are due to the meds ;he has recently developed indigestion after every meal, has an itchy body, and when he scratches he leaves the black patches all over the area and these marks don't disappear. My husband is also dropping weight due to lack of appetite. Is their any fomula he can have to put on some weight?

Answer provided by:

Octavio Vallejo, M.D., MPH
Faculty, UCLA Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center

Thanks for your question. I'd suggest to have your husband to separate the time of taking combivir (AZT+3TC) and Stocrin (Efavirenz).

Combivir twice a day, may be taken with food to decrease potential nausea associated with AZT and other gastrointestinal side effects.

Stocrin (Efavirenz) once a day, it is suggested to take with an empty stomach, and this somehow will help to decrease the side effects of this medication. (fatty foods help the medication to be absorbed). This may help your husband to reduce the itch. Also, I'd recommend to drink at least 8 glasses of water to help to flush out the excess of medication in your husband's system.

I wonder if weight loss is related to the indigestion symptoms, does your husband reduce the food intake because the fear of side effects?

If we separate the intake of Combivir and Stocrin at least 3 hours between these two medications, chances are that your husband will feel better and eat more to increase his weight.

I really hope this helps. Thanks again for your question.

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