Prepared by: Bratislav Prokić, August 2022
Review: Dr. Jovana Milić,
Metabolic clinic for HIV in Modena, Italy
The most common side effects are short-term and can be controlled. Long-term side effects are rare. In case of side effects talk to your doctor, because there is a possibility that the therapy should be changed.
What are the side effects?
Every drug, in addition to the desired effect, can also have unwanted effects or even be contraindicated (that it cannot be used in certain patients for certain reasons). With the newer generation, side effects of HIV drugs are mild and short-term, and most people will not experience them. Some side effects require a change in therapy, while some can be tolerated, with careful evaluation by an infectious disease specialist.
Are HIV drugs harmful?
Antiretroviral drugs for HIV are not harmful in themselves. Any drug that is taken in a larger amount than prescribed can cause toxicity. Older HIV drugs have been associated with certain metabolic side effects, but newer drugs are easier to tolerate.
What side effects do HIV drugs have?
Side effects of antiretroviral drugs can be short-term and long-term. Short-term ones occur as a result of the body getting used to a new drug, and long-term ones can be the result of long-term use of certain antiretroviral drugs.
What are the most common short-term side effects of HIV drugs?
Short-term side effects are generally mild and disappear over time. These can be diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, sleep disturbance. These effects can be reduced by certain medications. If side effects persist, a change in therapy should be considered.
What is advised in case of diarrhea caused by HIV drugs?
Most antiretroviral drugs that cause diarrhea are no longer used in Serbia. In consultation with the doctor, drugs to control diarrhea may be prescribed or the combination of antiretroviral drugs may be changed.
What is advised for nausea caused by HIV drugs?
Taking the medicine with food can reduce the feeling of nausea. It is recommended to take smaller meals, avoid fatty, spicy and strong food, avoid lying down after a meal, to take soup, herbal teas, toasted bread, salty biscuits.
What to do if vomiting occurs after taking HIV medication?
A new dose of antiretroviral therapy should be taken if vomiting occurs less than two hours after ingestion (less than four hours in the case of Eviplera), as well as if parts of the drug are visible in the contents you vomited.
What are the long-term consequences of taking HIV drugs?
Long-term side effects of antiretroviral therapy are rare. Liver function, kidney function, bone density, as well as other tests (such as cholesterol and sugar that may indicate a risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart attack) should be checked regularly.
How to influence the long-term consequences of taking HIV drugs?
If the results of the analysis indicate side effects of the therapy, it is necessary to change the combination of antiretroviral drugs in a timely manner, to introduce other drugs (for elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure, for instance). In addition, it is important to change lifestyle in the direction of healthier diet and increased physical activity.
Can a person be allergic to some HIV drugs?
As with all other drugs used in medicine, allergies to antiretroviral drugs are possible, but rare. As with other medicines, allergic reactions can be very dangerous and therefore it is necessary to pay attention to symptoms such as rash, temperature, swelling, or difficulty breathing. In the event of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately. Before starting the drug abacavir (Ziagen, Kivexa, Triumeq), it is necessary to perform a test (HLA-B*5701) that can predict hypersensitivity to this drug.
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