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Does Triumeq cause erectile dysfunction?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 12, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Triumeq is unlikely to cause erectile dysfunction (ED), and ED is not listed as a side effect in the product information nor reported in post-marketing data – these are studies done after a drug has been approved. A review concluded that newer HIV combination treatments in use today have no clear-cut association with ED. Older HIV agents, such as zalcitabine (no longer in use) and enfuvirtide (rarely used) were known to cause ED. Using abacavir and raltegravir together had a weak association with ED, but no protease inhibitors appear to increase the risk. Triumeq contains three antivirals: abacavir and lamivudine (both nucleoside analogs), and dolutegravir (an integrase inhibitor).

ED is unusually common among men with HIV, regardless of what medication they are on, and in one study 25% reported experiencing ED often or sometimes during the preceding 6 months. Other research has indicated around 40 to 60% of men with HIV may have some form of ED. ED is more likely to occur in older patients, those who have had HIV for several years, a lower CD4 count when first diagnosed, or who have depression or diabetes.

ED has many different physical and psychological causes and may be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, low testosterone levels, smoking, obesity, alcohol and drug use, anxiety, or depression. If you develop ED and you have HIV, see your doctor for a thorough assessment, that includes an investigation of your cardiovascular and mental health. Lose weight if you are overweight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake, and don’t smoke.

Triumeq is a fixed-dose combination tablet that contains three antivirals: abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine, which may be used to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and children weighing at least 40 kg (88 pounds).

References
  • Triumeq (abacavir sulfate, dolutegravir sodium, lamivudine). Updated 03/2021. ViiV Healthcare Company https://www.drugs.com/pro/triumeq.html
  • Alcorn K. Weight gain and HIV treatment May 2020 NAM Aidsmap https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/weight-gain-and-hiv-treatment
  • Zuger A. Which Antiretrovirals Lead to Erectile Dysfunction? June 20, 2013. NEJM Journal Watch. https://www.jwatch.org/na31406/2013/06/20/which-antiretrovirals-lead-erectile-dysfunction
  • Samuel K. Erectile dysfunction and HIV. NAM Aidsmap. Sept 2019. https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/erectile-dysfunction-and-hiv#:~:text=Erectile%20dysfunction%20often%20affects%20men,some%20degree%20of%20erectile%20dysfunction.

Read next

Can Triumeq be used for PrEP?

Triumeq (dolutegravir, abacavir and lamivudine) is not approved to be used for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Triumeq is used to treat (not prevent) HIV-1, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The medications FDA-approved for PrEP are the two oral medicinesTruvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine) or Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), and the long-acting intramuscular injection called Apretude (cabotegravir). Continue reading

Can Triumeq be crushed or split?

To ensure you receive the entire dose of Triumeq, the manufacturer recommends that ideally the tablet be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing a whole tablet, crushing or splitting tablets may be an acceptable alternative, if approved by your healthcare provider. Do not chew, cut, or crush the Triumeq PD tablets. Continue reading

Triumeq vs Genvoya. How do they compare?

Both Triumeq and Genvoya are combination one-tablet-a-day medicines that are considered first-line treatments for HIV-1 by the HHS guidelines. Because Triumeq does not contain cobicistat, an antiviral booster, it is less likely to interact with other medications and may have fewer side effects than Genvoya. People taking Genvoya do not need to be tested for the HLA-B*5701 gene, because it does not contain abacavir. Continue reading

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