Please see the drug's page for details, or refer to the manufacturer's package insert for a full, comprehensive list of potential drug side effects. Remember that side effects may or may not occur. Some are more common than others, and individuals react differently to the same drug. A drug regimen cannot be chosen solely on the basis of minimal potential for side effects. Discuss any changes, however minor, with your health care providers, including your pharmacist, since small reactions may become serious. There may also be management techniques for the side effect. Visit www.acria.org/index.php?q=publications/educational-booklets/side-effects.
| Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (also called nucleoside analogs, NRTIs, or nukes) |
Potential drug class side effects
|
Enlarged, fatty liver and lactic acidosis.
|
Combivir
(Retrovir and Epivir)
|
See Epivir and Retrovir. |
Emtriva
(emtricitabine, or FTC)
|
A very tolerable drug, but side effects may include headache, diarrhea, nausea and rash. Darkening of the skin on the palms and the soles of the feet has also been reported.
|
Epivir
(lamivudine, or 3TC)
|
A very tolerable drug, but side effects may include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, hair loss, insomnia, malaise, nasal symptoms, cough, peripheral neuropathy, low white blood cell count, and anemia.
|
Epzicom
(Epivir and Ziagen)
|
See Epivir and Ziagen.
|
Retrovir
(zidovudine, or AZT)
|
Headaches, fever, chills, muscle soreness and/or damage, fatigue, nausea, lipodystrophy, fingernail discoloration, anemia (low red blood cell count), and neutropenia (low white blood cell count).
|
Trizivir
(Epivir, Retrovir, and Ziagen)
|
See Epivir, Retrovir, and Ziagen.
|
Truvada
(Viread and Emtriva)
|
See Viread and Emtriva. Abdominal distension/pain.
|
Videx EC
(didanosine, or ddI)
|
Peripheral neuropathy, upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), eye changes and optic neuritis, increased uric acid levels, insomnia, and body fat redistribution.
|
Viread
(tenofovir)
|
Overall fairly well tolerated; however, side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence (gas), bone changes, kidney toxicities, and low blood phosphate.
|
Zerit
(stavudine, or d4T)
|
Peripheral neuropathy, facial wasting, mitochondrial toxicities (a variety of symptoms caused by cell damage), lipodystrophy, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), headache, chills/fever, malaise, insomnia, anxiety, depression, rash, upset stomach, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood lipid increases.
|
Ziagen
(abacavir sulfate) |
Hypersensitivity reaction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, fever, rash, and loss of appetite. |
| Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (also called non-nucleoside analogs, NNRTIs, or non-nukes) |
Potential drug class side effects
|
Rash.
|
Intelence
(etravirine, or TMC-125)
|
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, nasopharyngitis (symptoms like a common cold), headache, hypersensitivity, and increased liver enzyme levels.
|
Rescriptor (delavirdine)
|
Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, increased liver enzyme levels, itchy skin or rash, and body fat accumulation or redistribution.
|
Sustiva
(efavirenz)
|
Central nervous system (CNS) and psychiatric symptoms. Rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, insomnia, and increases in triglycerides, good cholesterol (HDL), and liver enzymes. False positive tests for marijuana. Birth defects. |
Viramune
(nevirapine) |
Headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, increased liver enzyme levels, liver damage, and drug-induced hepatitis. |
| Dual-Class Fixed Dose Combination |
Atripla
(Sustiva/Truvada) |
See Sustiva and Truvada (Emtriva and Viread). Atripla dose cannot be adjusted for people with kidney problems. Nausea, diarrhea, rash, and Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). |
| Protease inhibitors (PIs) |
Potential drug class side effects
|
Increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (except unboosted Reyataz), lipodystrophy, onset of new cases or worsening of diabetes, Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS), and increased bleeding in hemophiliacs.
|
Aptivus
(tipranavir)
(must be taken with Norvir)
|
Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Headaches, fever, fatigue, dry mouth, rash (including sensitivity to sun), dizziness, liver toxicity, and bleeding in the brain. Aptivus has a sulfa component, and should be used with caution in patients with allergies to sulfa drugs. Also see Norvir.
|
Crixivan
(indinavir sulfate) |
Headache, fatigue or weakness, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin/eyes, changed skin color, dry mouth/sore throat, taste changes, painful urination, indigestion, joint pain, hives, liver toxicity, kidney stones, increased bilirubin, itchy/dry skin, ingrown toenails, and hair loss.
|
Invirase
(saquinavir)
(must be taken with Norvir)
|
Diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and nausea. Also see Norvir.
|
Kaletra
(lopinavir/ritonavir)
|
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, muscle weakness, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased liver enzyme levels. Also see Norvir.
|
Lexiva
(fos-amprenavir calcium)
|
Nausea, rash, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Lexiva has a sulfa component, and should be used with caution in patients with allergies to sulfa drugs.
|
Norvir
(ritonavir)
|
Weakness, stomach pain, upset stomach, tingling/numbness around the mouth, hands or feet, loss of appetite, taste disturbance, weight loss, headache, dizziness, pancreatitis, alcohol intolerance, liver problems, increased muscle enzyme levels, and uric acid.
|
Prezista
(darunavir)
|
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, and increased liver enzyme levels. Prezista contains a sulfa component and should be used cautiously in patients with sulfa allergies. Also see Norvir.
|
Reyataz
(atazanavir sulfate)
|
Dizziness, lightheadedness, rash, kidney stones, and elevated liver function test results, including elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin.
|
Viracept
(nelfinavir) |
Diarrhea, stomach discomfort, nausea, gas, weakness, and rash. |
| Entry Inhibitors |
Fuzeon (enfuvirtide, or T-20)
|
Injection site reactions (ISRs), Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS), pneumonia, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. Hypersensitivity reactions are possible. |
|
Selzentry (maraviroc) |
Cough, fever, cold, rash, muscle and joint pain, stomach pain, dizziness, liver toxicity, allergic reaction, low blood pressure, possible increased risk of infections and cancer. |
| Integrase Inhibitor |
Isentress
(raltegravir) |
A very tolerable drug, but side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, lipodystrophy, increased levels of liver enzymes and creatine kinase, allergic reaction, and Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). |
This article was provided by Test Positive Aware Network. It is a part of the publication Positively Aware. Visit TPAN's Web site to find out more about their activities, publications and services.
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