Side effects can occur with antiretroviral medications.

The positive attribute is that most side furnishings such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and feeling unwell are temporary. Most people who experience these side effects observe that they are worse during the outset one to two weeks after starting medications. During this time, do non adjust your dose or stop your medication without first consulting a doc.

After a few weeks, most people observe that they have become used to the medications and the side effects take disappeared or are much less bothersome. If the side effects proceed or become worse, consult your health care squad.

Some suggestions for getting through temporary side effects include:

  • Nausea, vomiting – Try using Gravol* (available from your pharmacy) and follow the instructions on the package. Try the suppositories if yous cannot keep annihilation downward. Drinkable lots of fluid to brand certain yous practise not become dehydrated. Fruit juices or pop are expert because they contain sugar and electrolytes which are lost when you lot throw upwardly. Endeavor eating banal foods like rice, toast, apple tree sauce, or bananas.
  • Loss of appetite – Some people find that their gustation for nutrient decreases temporarily when they kickoff antiretrovirals. Practice non be alarmed if this happens. If you find yourself unable to consume full meals, try to eat lots of small snacks throughout the day. Stay away from food that makes you lot feel particularly nauseous. Yous can also add a food supplement such as Ensure or Advera to your diet.
  • Diarrhea – Effort using Imodium* (available from your pharmacy). Have one tablet later on every episode of diarrhea to a maximum of eight tablets a mean solar day. Brand sure you drink lots of fluids and eat bland foods that are unlikely to upset your stomach.
  • Headache – Aspirin* or Tylenol* can be taken for hurting relief. Resting in a quiet night room with a absurd cloth on your forehead may also assistance.
  • Feeling unwell – The all-time way to treat this is to give yourself plenty of residue. Take time away from piece of work or give yourself a intermission from your regular schedule if possible. Make sure yous go on eating regular meals. Take Tylenol* if y'all demand it or Gravol* if you experience sick to your stomach.
  • Rash – Most drug rashes are mild just you lot should e'er tell your medico if your rash starts condign astringent. Try Benadryl*, which is an antihistamine that you can purchase at a pharmacy. It may make yous drowsy at first until your body adjusts to it. Avoid "non-drowsy" antihistamines such equally Seldane and Hismanal, since they may collaborate with other medications you are taking.

Ever ask your pharmacist to brand sure these drugs are safe to have with your other medications.

There are many natural or herbal products available through wellness food stores which merits to aid relieve the symptoms of various drug side effects. Most of these products have not been clinically studied. If possible, consult with a naturopath experienced in HIV disease and hash out with other people about what has worked for them.

Less frequent and more serious side furnishings such as neuropathy (painful tingling in the tips of your fingers and toes), pancreatitis, liver bug and lowered blood cell counts can occur afterwards several months of therapy. Your health care team should watch carefully for these side effects through regular blood tests and physician appointments. These side effects are reversible if rapidly recognized and the drug is discontinued or the dose is reduced.


Stop your medication and become immediate medical attention if you lot experience:

  • Sudden wheeziness or shortness of jiff, pounding of your heart, chest hurting or tightening
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising, fever or chills
  • Sudden, severe stomach pain with nausea or airsickness
  • Severe rash or "hives" with or without symptoms such every bit fever, blistering, oral fissure sores, swelling of your eyelids, face or lips, muscle or joint aches or generally feeling unwell.

<< Previous  |  Next >>

Immunodeficiancy Clinic Drug Therapy Guide: Interactive Application