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Side Effects Chart

An Abbreviated, At-a-Glance Guide to HIV Drug Side Effects

March/April 2009

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 http://www.acria.org.

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (also called nucleoside analogs, NRTIs, or nukes)
Potential drug class side effects
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), 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 (general ill feeling), nasal symptoms, cough, peripheral neuropathy, low white blood cell count, anemia, and pancreatitis.
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, 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 & 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, lipodystrophy, headache, chills/fever, malaise, insomnia, anxiety, depression, rash, upset stomach, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood lipid increases. Peripheral neuropathy noted in children.
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, and headache.
Rescriptor
(delavirdine)
Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, elevated liver enzymes, 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, increase in liver enzymes, 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 possibly 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)
Gastrointestinal-related -- 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)
Stomach related --diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and nausea. Also see Norvir.
Kaletra
(lopinavir/ritonavir)
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, muscle weakness, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and elevated liver function test results. 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 enzymes, and uric acid.
Prezista
(darunavir)
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, headache, and common cold. Prezista contains a "sulfa" component to it and should be used cautiously in patients with "sulfa" allergies. See also 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), and pneumonia. Allergic reactions are possible.
Selzentry
(maraviroc)
Cough, fever, cold, rash, muscle and joint pain, stomach pain, dizziness, liver toxicity, allergic reaction, low blood pressure, diarrhea, edema (swelling), trouble sleeping, urinary problems. Possible increased risk of infections and cancer.
Integrase Inhibitor
Isentress
(raltegravir)
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and lipodystrophy.

To view table of contents for The 13th Annual HIV Drug Guide, click here.

Got a comment on this article? Write to us at publications@tpan.com.


This article was provided by Test Positive Aware Network. It is a part of the publication Positively Aware.
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