AIDS Treatment Side Effects
- According to Avert.org, the most common side effects found overall in antiretroviral treatment for HIV disease are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash and lipodystrophy (redistribution of body fat).
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) as a class of drugs cause side effects such as lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood), fatty liver and lipodystrophy. According to HIV InSite, the NRTI abacavir can cause a severe hypersensitivity reaction.
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) overall are associated with side effects including rash as well as two conditions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can cause the death and loss of skin. HIV InSite states that NNRTIs may also have serious interactions with other drugs.
- Protease inhibitors (PIs) cause largely metabolic side effects, including increased fat in the blood, high blood sugar levels, resistance to insulin and lipodystrophy. According to HIV InSite, PIs may increase bleeding in people with hemophilia, and like NNRTIs, PIs interact with other drugs.
- There are three other classes of antiretroviral drugs, each containing only one drug. According to HIV InSite, the fusion inhibitor enfurvitide may cause injection site reaction, decreased white blood cell production and increased pneumonia. Maraviroc, a chemokine coreceptor antagonist, has side effects such as diarrhea and nausea, hepatitis, infections of the upper respiratory tract, fatigue, dizziness and aches and pains. The integrase inhibitor raltegravir may cause digestive trouble, affect liver function, headache and muscle pain, dizziness, strange dreams, rash and fatigue.
- It is important for people taking any antiretroviral drugs to tell their doctors about the side effects they are experiencing. Treatment plans may need to be adjusted if side effects are severe, but a drug regimen should only be altered on the advice of a doctor.