HIV therapy: side effects of antiretroviral therapy for HIV

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Do HIV medications cause side effects?

HIV drugs help people living with the disease live longer and healthier lives. But sometimes they can cause side effects. Most side effects of antiretroviral therapy are treatable, but some can be serious and life-threatening. Overall, the benefits of HIV medications far outweigh the risks of side effects. In addition, new treatment regimens cause fewer side effects than regimens used in the past.

Different HIV medications can cause different side effects. In addition, people taking the same medicine may have different side effects.

Side effects from HIV medications may last only a few days or weeks or last much longer. Some side effects may not appear until many months or even years after you start antiretroviral therapy. If you are taking HIV medications, tell your doctor about any side effects. Some side effects, such as headache or dizziness, may not be serious. Other side effects, such as swelling of the throat and tongue or liver damage, can be life-threatening.

Typically, before starting antiretroviral therapy, patients discuss possible side effects from medications with their healthcare provider. The appropriate treatment regimen is then selected based on the individual's individual needs.

The main goal of treating HIV infection is to fight the virus in the human body. However, another important goal of therapy is to eliminate or minimize unpleasant and harmful side effects. The presence and severity of side effects from treatment vary from person to person. For some, they are soft, for others, they prevent them from living a full life.

Unpleasant symptoms during antiretroviral therapy can be caused by:

HIV drugs;
infections;
stress;
depression;
diet;
aging;
drugs.

It is highly recommended to consult your doctor to find out the cause of your symptoms and reduce side effects.

Continue taking your HIV medications unless your doctor stops them. It's dangerous to change how you take them—or stop altogether—if you're unhappy with how you feel or how they affect you. This can cause HIV to become drug resistant and make treatment much more difficult. Continuing treatment is the key not only to preventing the development of AIDS, but also to maintaining a relatively normal lifestyle.

Short term side effects

When a person first starts antiretroviral therapy or changes antiretroviral medications, they may experience side effects as the body adjusts to the prescribed treatment. Side effects often appear in the first days of therapy and disappear after a few weeks.

If side effects do not stop or they are serious or unusual, you should immediately inform your doctor. Such side effects may be caused by antiretroviral drugs or something else.

You can also manage the most common short-term side effects by changing your lifestyle or habits. Don't smoke, eat well and try to exercise every day.

The following will discuss the most common short-term side effects of antiretroviral therapy for HIV.

Fatigue. Try a short 20-30 minute nap. Reduce your work schedule if possible. A balanced diet and light physical activity will provide your body with energy.

Feeling of nausea and vomiting . Many HIV medications must be taken with food. Avoid foods that cause stomach upset. Eat small meals and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Do not take antacids or other over-the-counter medications without your doctor's approval.

Diarrhea . Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Ask your doctor about which diarrhea medications are safe for you to take.

Headache . If you have a headache, you can take painkillers. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and stay away from loud noise and bright lights.

Insomnia . Limit your caffeine intake and avoid heavy meals before bed. Try not to sleep during the day and adjust your sleep schedule. Try relaxing activities before bed, such as sitting in a warm bath, drinking hot milk, listening to soothing music, or asking someone to give you a relaxing massage.

Rashes . Avoid prolonged bathing in hot water, as well as skin products with alcohol or harsh chemicals. Use sunscreen and moisturizing lotions or Vaseline on dry, itchy areas.

Pain, tingling, or numbness in the legs or arms . Massage them lightly. Wear loose shoes or jewelry. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or nalgesin may also help.

Dry mouth . To relieve dry mouth, you can suck on sugar-free hard candies or chew gum. You should also drink plenty of fluids and avoid sugary foods and caffeine.

Long term side effects

Some side effects may not go away over time or may cause serious problems. However, in most cases there are ways to manage them to reduce discomfort.

Redistribution of fat . The body can change the way it produces, uses and stores fat. This is called lipodystrophy. You can lose fat on your face and legs and gain fat on your stomach and back of your neck, for example. To solve this problem, you can change medications so as not to worsen the symptoms.

Increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels . This side effect significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Diet and other lifestyle changes are the first step to minimizing this risk. The attending physician may also prescribe medications from the statins or fibrates group.

Increased blood sugar levels . If this side effect occurs, regular exercise, tracking your weight, and other lifestyle changes are necessary. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to control your blood sugar levels.

Decreased bone density . This leads to an increased risk of fractures, especially as you get older. Do strengthening exercises such as walking or lifting weights. Talk to your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. You may need to take medications to treat or prevent osteoporosis.

Weight loss . Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how to maintain a healthy weight. High-protein shakes, as well as other high-protein, low-sugar foods, can help with weight loss.

Accumulation of cellular waste (lactic acidosis). This is a fairly rare side effect, but it can cause a wide range of problems, from muscle pain to liver failure. If lactic acidosis occurs, you will likely need to change your HIV medications.