Viraday for prep?

[htsends]

Does anyone know if Viraday is safe and effective to use as prep?

I was thinking of trying this and following up with monthly visits to my doctor to check my kidneys etc

[bearbandit]

Viraday contains the two elements of truvada, plus a dose of efavirenz, which is over-egging the pudding for PrEP. Efavirenz has possibly the worst side effect record of any currently used ARV. Up to 20% of people taking it endure sleep disturbance, depression, over-vivid dreams, hangovers the next day, lack of concentration. Its effects are so marked that some HIV specialists will only prescribe efavirenz to people who don't need to be able to concentrate the next day. A friend of mine, a pharmacist, has been told when it comes to treatment time he will not be prescribed efavirenz or any drug containing it.

Since Viraday/atripla contains both FTC and tenofovir (the components of truvada) I see no reason why it shouldn't work. It's the efavirenz that's the problem. Another problem is finding a doctor familiar with what atripla can do and the changes in your blood. There's a reason for atripla being prescription only and only available from HIV/GU clinics: the changes indicative of liver or kidney damage can be subtle, but can accelerate quickly. Finally there's very little data on efavirenz when someone doesn't have HIV.

The safest solution I can think of is to invent a partner who has HIV and with whom you always bareback (perhaps he insists on it?) - there's a chance you could get truvada on compassionate grounds if you can find the right doctor. After all that, it'll come as no surprise that I don't think taking viraday as PrEP is a good idea. Sorry.