My doctor put me on combivir/sustiva on 5/25/00. I have never taken any other HIV drugs before. 6/1/00 I started to get a rash that now has covered most my body. The places that are the most affected are under the arms and between my thighs,as if it were a heat rash. It's blotchy and red but it does not itch. The warning labels on the medication say to CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience rash. I did go see my doctor but she had only experienced one other patient with this side effect and it wasn't nearly as bad. I was the worst case she ever seen.

She put me on Methlyprednisolon a steroid. I want to trust her judgement but with only having one other person with this side effect I'm a nervous. The side effects to the steroids say In big bold letters THIS MEDICINE MAKES YOU MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ILLNESSES. When the warning label on the Sustiva says CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience rash what does the drug manufacture recommend or do they? Is there a uniform procedure or what?

If you can give me some suggestions it would be greatly appreciated? I'm not asking for a diagnosis, just some advice. Thanks

A rash like that definitely can be seen with Sustiva -- much less likely the other HIV meds. Usually we try to treat through it and it resolves over several weeks. Benadryl and lots of fluids often is helpful. The use of steroids is empiric and may help but should not be continued for more than several weeks. Many other HIV meds can cause a rash too so I would try to get through this if you can. It is frustrating but is a part of the territory -- the drugs have their pluses and minuses but the pluses >>>> the minuses. Keith Henry, M.D.