Side Effects Reported with Approved Anti-HIV Drugs

• Protease Inhibitors
• Nucleoside Analogs
• Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Protease Inhibitors

amprenavir (Agenerase)

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, intestinal gas, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, mental depression, altered taste sensations, mouth rash, skin rash, paresthesias around the mouth, elevated liver enzymes, elevated blood glucose, diabetes, elevated triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, body fat redistribution

indinavir (Crixivan)

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, acid reflux, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, muscle pain, dehydration, dry mouth, dry skin, skin rash, ingrown toenails, altered taste sensations, elevated liver enzymes, elevated bilirubin, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood glucose, diabetes, body fat redistribution

Special concerns: kidney stones (indicated by flank and/or groin pain), hemolytic anemia, liver failure

nelfinavir (Viracept)

Diarrhea, nausea, intestinal gas, abdominal pain, fatigue, skin rash, elevated liver enzymes, elevated creatinine, elevated blood glucose, diabetes, elevated triglycerides, body fat redistribution

ritonavir (Norvir)

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, insomnia, paresthesias (especially around the mouth), altered taste sensations, muscle pain, numbness, skin rash, elevated liver enzymes, elevated creatinine, elevated blood glucose, diabetes, elevated triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, body fat redistribution

Special concerns: hypersensitivity reaction, liver failure

saquinavir (Invirase or Fortovase)

Diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, intestinal gas, abdominal pain, fatigue, mental depression, skin rash, elevated liver enzymes, elevated creatinine, elevated blood glucose, diabetes, elevated triglycerides, body fat redistribution

Nucleoside Analogs

AZT (Retrovir)

Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, fever, headache, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, myopathy, skin rash, altered taste sensations, elevated liver enzymes

Special concerns: hematologic toxicity -- bone marrow suppression, anemia, low white cell counts

ddC (Hivid)

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, headache, fatigue, skin rash, mouth ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, muscle pain, elevated amylase, elevated liver enzymes, anemia, low white cell counts

Special concerns: pancreatitis

ddI (Videx)

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, skin rash, dry eyes and mouth, mouth ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, muscle and joint pain, altered taste sensations, elevated liver enzymes, elevated creatinine, elevated amylase, elevated triglycerides, low white cell counts

Special concerns: pancreatitis, retinal lesions in children

d4T (Zerit)

Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, chills, malaise, headache, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, mental depression, skin rash, dry skin, peripheral neuropathy, muscle and joint pain, elevated liver enzymes, elevated amylase, anemia, low white cell counts

3TC (Epivir)

Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, chills, malaise, headache, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, mental depression, skin rash, peripheral neuropathy, muscle and joint pain, hair loss, low white cell counts

Special concerns: pancreatitis, especially in children

abacavir (Ziagen)

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, headache, fatigue, insomnia, skin rash, mouth ulcers, muscle and joint pain, elevated liver enzymes, elevated creatinine

Special concerns: potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction characterized by flu-like symptoms, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and measles-like rash

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

delavirdine (Rescriptor)

Diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, skin rash, elevated liver enzymes

Special concerns: Stevens-Johnson syndrome

nevirapine (Viramune)

Nausea, fever, headache, skin rash, elevated liver enzymes, low white cell counts

Special concerns: Stevens-Johnson syndrome

efavirenz (Sustiva)

Diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, malaise, fatigue, insomnia, mental anxiety, inability to concentrate, unusual dreams, nightmares, hallucinations, skin rash, elevated liver enzymes

Special concerns: may cause birth defects

Related BETA Article: Adverse Effects Associated with Antiretroviral Therapy

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