Table of Contents
What is a common side effect of antiretrovirals?
For example, nausea, fatigue, and trouble sleeping are some short-term side effects of HIV medicines. Other side effects from some HIV medicines can lead to problems that may not appear for months or years after starting a medicine. For example, high cholesterol can be a side effect of some HIV medicines. Side effects from antiretroviral HIV drugs can include appetite loss, diarrhea, fatigue, and mood changes. However, not sticking to a treatment plan can cause the virus to become resistant to drugs and harder to treat. [1] The spectrum of potential antiretroviral drug toxicity is broad, including renal toxicity, mitochondrial and metabolic effects, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight gain, cardiovascular effects, hypersensitivity, skin reactions, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric manifestations. People with HIV can get and keep an undetectable viral load by taking HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) exactly as prescribed. Almost everyone who takes HIV medicine as prescribed can reach an undetectable viral load, usually within one to six months after starting treatment. Almost everyone who takes HIV medicine as prescribed can achieve an undetectable viral load, usually within 6 months after starting treatment. Many will bring their viral load to an undetectable level quickly, but it could take more time for a small portion of people just starting HIV medicine. What Should You Do If You Skip a Dose? Taking your HIV medicine daily is important because skipping doses makes it easier for HIV to change form, causing your medication to stop working. This is called drug resistance. HIV can become resistant to your medication and to similar medications that you have not yet taken.
What are the risks of antiretroviral therapy?
[1] The spectrum of potential antiretroviral drug toxicity is broad, including renal toxicity, mitochondrial and metabolic effects, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight gain, cardiovascular effects, hypersensitivity, skin reactions, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Like many medications, certain antiretroviral drugs can harm the liver, known as hepatotoxicity. Fortunately, modern antiretrovirals are generally much easier on the liver than older meds that are no longer widely used. Taking antiretroviral medications (ARVs) used to treat HIV infections or related health issues can also cause kidney disease. Kidney problems can lead to ESRD or kidney failure. The rate of kidney disease in people with HIV has gone down significantly since the introduction of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART). The causes of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment failure—which include poor adherence, drug resistance, poor absorption of medications, inadequate dosing, and drug–drug interactions—should be assessed and addressed (AII).
What are the negative side effects of antiretroviral therapy?
For example, nausea, fatigue, and trouble sleeping are some short-term side effects of HIV medicines. Other side effects from some HIV medicines can lead to problems that may not appear for months or years after starting a medicine. For example, high cholesterol can be a side effect of some HIV medicines. Treatment with HIV medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) is recommended for everyone with HIV. People with HIV should start taking HIV medicines as soon as possible after HIV is diagnosed. A main goal of HIV treatment is to reduce a person’s viral load to an undetectable level. What Should You Do If You Skip a Dose? Taking your HIV medicine daily is important because skipping doses makes it easier for HIV to change form, causing your medication to stop working. This is called drug resistance. HIV can become resistant to your medication and to similar medications that you have not yet taken. It’s sometimes said that alcohol and HIV medications “do not mix”. As long as you don’t have hepatitis or liver disease, this is a myth. There are no interactions between alcohol and HIV medications – alcohol does not stop the medications from working. However, alcohol can react badly with certain other medicines.