Question
Can ARVs cause my skin to change colour?
20 November 2016. Related: All topics.
I have been on Efavirenz and Dumiva since testing HIV+ in May 2016. After about 3 months after taking treatment I noticed that the skin on my hands and top of my feet was darker than usual. Is hyperpigmentation a known side effect of the ART’s mentioned above ?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
ARVs are not known to cause changes in skin colour. Â Therefore, you may need to talk to a skin specialist.
My husbend using art
Past he used tb therapy also
After taking tb treatment
He s face became dark black.
Now he is not using tb medicine
Past 6 month but there is no change in he’s face colour.
What should i do to get normal.
Hi Mr Banks,
What medication have you been given for the HIV?
Mr. Banks
Hi,
I’m on arv’s it’s been three years now, recently been given a second line therapy by my doctor after I felt sick from the 1 pill I took every night now I’ve taking three tablets during the night and two in the morning but my question is my “Skin” is becoming Pale lately what do I do because I’m trying to regain my self esteem while slowly trying to intergenerate my life back into the community…?
Hi Pumie
The WHO advice that all patients despite their CD4 count should be on ARV’s. Very few patients can go without ARVs. We call them none progressors and ussually have viral loads that decline without explanation. Also, the viral load is so low they seem to be on medication.
If your viral load is above 200, and is creeping up, take ARVs to protect your partner and to avoid deteriorating without being aware.
Hi Asanda,
Why did you stop your meds? Not being on meds means that your HIV isn’t under control.
Hi guys I’m Asanda…since I stopped taking my meds my skin face started to feel dry and dark marks grew up so quickly…should I continue or stop?
Hi Jared,
Thanks. AZT (zidovudine) can darken nail and skin pigment in Africans and African-Americans, but this drug is now rarely used.
Emtricitabine (Emtriva) has been reported to cause pigment changes (mainly to the palms of the hands or soles of the feet) in African people. Emtricitabine is included in many combination pills including Truvada, Descovy, Atripla, Eviplera, Genvoya and Stribild. There haven’t been many similar reports about lamivudine.
There’s more info about nail and skin pigment problems in this guide to side effects and quality of life.
ARVs such as Lamivudine and Zidovudine have been known to cause darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) as well as rashes as their side effects. (medical Student)
Hi Pumie,
If you aren’t on ARVs then the skin issue isn’t anything to do with you being positive.
Though your doctor has said that you don’t need ARVs at the moment. The World Health Organisations recommendations are that everyone who is positive should be on meds.
Im HIV positive i havint started the meds ARVs coz my doctor told me my CD4 count its still fine so i must go back after 3mount to do checkings. I only left with a month now. I realise that my skin its become dark everyday. I need you help please how will i fix my skin.