April 2009
This is the 4th edition of a guide that was first produced in 2001. It focuses on the most commonly used and recommended treatments, including new and recently approved drugs.
Introduction
General information
- What are side effects?
- Starting treatment for the first time?
- Using the Yellow Card scheme
- How to report side effects
- Side effects diary
- How side effects are graded
- Side effects and drug levels
- When is therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) appropriate?
- Changing treatment
- Side effects and adherence
- You and your doctor
Individual side effects
General side effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue – feeling tired
- Skin rash
- Dry skin, nail problems, hair loss, frozen shoulder
- Sexual problems
- Insomnia – disturbed sleep
- CNS side effects: mood changes, anxiety, dizzyness, sleep disturbance
Progressive and acute side effects
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Liver toxicity, rash and nevirapine
- Lactic acidosis, pancreatitis and fatty liver
- Abacavir hypersensitivity reaction
- Kidney toxicity including kidney stones
- Increased bilirubin and jaundice
- T-20: injection site reactions (ISRs) and other side effects
- Lipodystrophy
- Fat loss (lipoatrophy)
- Fat accumulation
- Cholesterol and triglycerides
- Increased blood-sugar levels and risk of type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Bone mineral changes
Further information
This guide was written and compiled by Simon Collins for HIV i-Base with thanks to an extended advisory group of HIV-positive people and community advocates.
Drawings: Beth Higgins.
Funding thanks to The Peter Moores Foundation.
Not-for-profit copying is encouraged or call for additional free copies.