How to Manage the Most Common Side Effects of Your First HIV Antiretroviral Regimen

Table of Contents

Nelson Vergel, B.S.Ch.E., M.B.A.

Ben Young, M.D.

• Introduction
• Anxiety and Mood Changes
• Brain Matters: Strange Dreams; Trouble Sleeping or Concentrating
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue (Feeling Tired, Even When You're Not Sleepy)
• Headache
• Nausea, Upset Stomach, Vomiting
• Rash

Introduction

Starting on HIV medications can be a stressful period. While most medication regimens are easy to handle, side effects occur in many people -- and if you're not prepared to deal with them, they can undermine treatment success.

Side effects are most likely to occur during the first few weeks after you've started taking HIV medications. After that, they usually fade away. If side effects are severe or they cause significant persistent disruption to normal daily activities, be sure to talk to your health care provider; in these cases, additional treatments or a switch to a different medication can usually improve the situation.

However, in many cases, there are simple steps you and your doctor can take to manage side effects during your first few weeks on treatment. You don't always have to "just deal with it."

Here are a few of the most common side effects that the average HIV-positive person might experience while on their first treatment regimen, along with some tips on how to manage them.