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Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
taking atripla on an empty stomache
Oct 12, 2008
I have been taking Atripla for a few weeks now. I have had a headache nearly the entire time. I will be contacting my Dr. this week. However I can not figure out why the Atripla is taken on an empty stomache? Will it hurt if i forget and have a snack just before bed? It has happened more than once. I definitely do not want to do damage.
Response from Dr. Young
Thanks for your post.
In general, it doesn't matter if Atripla is taken on an empty stomach or not. The reason that the label suggest the empty stomach is that food tends to increase the absorption of efavirenz, hence increasing the risk of side effects. This effect is probably most significant in the first weeks of starting on medications, so if you're otherwise doing well, I'd see no reason why you couldn't try your medicines with a bedtime snack.
I hope this helps,
BY
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