- WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS?
- WHO GETS SIDE EFFECTS?
- HOW TO DEAL WITH SIDE EFFECTS
- WHICH SIDE EFFECTS ARE THE MOST COMMON?
- THE BOTTOM LINE
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS?
Side effects are what a drug does to you that you don’t want it to do. Medications are prescribed for a specific purpose, such as to control HIV. Anything else the drug does is a side effect. Some side effects are mild, like a slight headache. Others, like liver damage, can be severe and, in rare cases, fatal. Some go on for just a few days or weeks, but others might continue as long as you take a medication, or even after you stop.
Some conditions are called side effects even though we don’t know what causes them. In some cases, HIV disease itself might be as much of the cause as true drug side effects.
WHO GETS SIDE EFFECTS?
Most people taking antiretroviral medications (ARVs) have some side effects. In general, higher amounts of drugs cause more side effects. If you are smaller than average, you might experience more side effects. Also, if your body processes drugs more slowly than normal, you could have higher blood levels and maybe more side effects.
Each medication comes with information on its most common side effects. Don’t assume that you will get every side effect that’s listed! Some people have only minor side effects when they take their ARVs.
HOW TO DEAL WITH SIDE EFFECTS
There are several steps you can take to prepare yourself to deal with side effects.
- Learn about the normal side effects for the medications you’re taking. The InfoNet fact sheets list common side effects for each drug.
- Talk to your health care provider about what side effects to expect. Ask when you should get medical attention because a side effect goes on too long, or has gotten severe.
- Find out if you can treat mild side effects with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.
- In some cases, your health care provider can write you a prescription for something you can take to deal with a side effect if it gets severe.
- Stock up! If you’re having stomach problems, make sure you have plenty of food that you like to eat and that’s easy on your stomach. Don’t run out of toilet paper!
Do not stop taking any of your medications, or skip or reduce your dose, without talking to your health care provider! Doing so can allow the virus to develop resistance (see fact sheet 126), and you might not be able to use some ARVs. BEFORE side effects make you skip or reduce doses, talk to your health care provider about changing drugs!
WHICH SIDE EFFECTS ARE THE MOST COMMON?
When you start antiretroviral therapy (ART), you may get headaches, hypertension, or a general sense of feeling ill. These usually improve or disappear over time.
Fatigue (fact sheet 551): Most people with HIV feel tired at least part of the time. It’s important to find the cause of fatigue and deal with it.
Anemia (fact sheet 552) can cause fatigue. Anemia increases your risk of getting sicker with HIV infection. Routine blood tests can detect anemia, and it can be treated.
Digestive Problems: Many drugs can make you feel sick to your stomach. They can cause nausea, vomiting, gas, or diarrhea. Home remedies include:
- Instead of three big meals, eat small amounts, more often.
- Eat mild foods and soups, not spicy.
- Ginger ale or ginger tea might settle your stomach. So can the smell of fresh lemon.
- Exercise regularly.
Don’t skip meals or to lose too much weight! Marijuana (see Fact Sheet 731) can reduce nausea. Be careful with over-the-counter or prescription nausea drugs. They can interact with ARVs.
Gas and bloating can be reduced by avoiding foods like beans, some raw vegetables, and vegetable skins.
Diarrhea (fact sheet 554) can range from a small hassle to a serious condition. Tell your health care provider if diarrhea goes on too long or if it’s serious.
Lipodystrophy (fact sheet 553) includes fat loss in arms, legs and face; fat gain in the stomach or behind the neck; and increases in fats (cholesterol) and sugar (glucose) in the blood. These changes may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Skin Problems: Some medications cause rashes. Most are temporary, but in rare cases they indicate a serious reaction. Talk to your health care provider if you have a rash. Other skin problems include dry skin or hair loss. Moisturizers help some skin problems.
Neuropathy (fact sheet 555) is a painful condition caused by nerve damage. It normally starts in the feet or hands.
Mitochondrial Toxicity (fact sheet 556) is damage to structures inside the cells. It might cause neuropathy or kidney damage, and can cause a buildup of lactic acid in the body.
Bone Problems (fact sheet 557) have recently been identified in people with HIV. Bones can lose their mineral content and become brittle. A loss of blood supply can cause hip problems. Get enough calcium from food and supplements. Weight-bearing exercise like walking or weight lifting can be helpful.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Most people who take ARVs have some side effects. However, don’t assume you will get every side effect you hear about!
Get information on the most common side effects and how to treat them. Read the InfoNet fact sheets on individual drugs and their side effects. Stock up on home remedies and other items that can help you deal with side effects.
Be sure you know when to go back to your doctor because a side effect may have gone on too long or gotten severe.
Don’t let side effects keep you from taking your medications! If you can’t deal with them, talk to your doctor about changing your drugs.