Question
What can I do about the weight gain around my tummy and breasts?
9 September 2010. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I am HIV positive and I am on ARV treatment but the treatment is making me gain weight especially around my breasts and tummy. Is it safe to take slimming powders or weight loosing products?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If you are gaining weight around your stomach and breasts then it is likely that you are experiencing lipodystrophy which is a fat disorder. Lipodystrophy is a common side effect of HIV medication which has been reported with nearly every combination. Lipodystrophy involves fat accumulating in the abdomen (stomach), breasts, shoulders, neck and is sometimes exaggerated by fat loss from the arms, legs, buttocks and face.
During lipodystrophy fat builds up around your organs rather than under your skin which happens during ‘normal’ weight gain. Slimming powers and weight loss products do not generally work on the fat built up around your organs.
However, there are some things you can do. For a start you could speak to your HIV doctor about changing the HIV treatments you are taking. Additional treatments are explained in detail in this previous question and in the lipodystrophy section of the i-Base guide to ‘Avoiding and managing side effects’
Hi Lush, what does your doctor say about this? If you have not told them yet, please talk about it. Without knowing more details this might be a side effect from one of your HIV meds.
My stomach is bigger what can I do
Hi Conn, can I ask what you mean by ‘stomach contrast’?
Can I ask what causes stomach contrast even I eat stomach refused to pull up its to flat like a hungry person. First patient treatment
Hi Gomotsang, in the combination you have mentioned, Efavirenz has been suggested to cause lipodystrophy Tenofovir DF has also has an association but to a lesser extent. How Efavirenz causes lipodystrophy is not well understood making mitigating these effects quite difficult. Depending on where you have lost weight there may be measures you can take to account for the weight loss. Building muscle in these areas can sometimes account for the lost fat. If this side effect is causing concern, there may be a more suitable ARV combination for you to take. You can discuss this with your doctor. This is a link about lipodystrophy and which medications cause it, along with how it can be mitigated in some circumstances: https://i-base.info/guides/side/fat-loss-lipoatrophy
Can Efavirenz/Trenvir containing Efavirenz 600mg, Emtricitabine 200mg and Tenofovir disproving fumigation 300mg cause lypodystrophy? If so, what are the best measures to mitigate this unwelcome effect? Thank you
Hi Baleseng,
Before you start to panic about your viral load rise, you need to know what it is. Though you might be in shock, please call your doctor and ask them what your viral load is. Once you have this information we’ll be able to give you some advice.
If you’re issues with your weight, this could be due to the dolutegravir that’s in your combination. Weight increases with this med are common.
To help with your weight it’s important to have a balanced diet as well as to exercise. If you’re eating a lot of sugar, this won’t help.
Food cravings are, more often than not, psychological. If you’re struggling with your diet you should speak to your doctor.
In the other posts that you’ve sent you, yes your weight could be increasing due to the change in combination. As noted dolutegravir is associated with weight gain.
Hi,
-I am ARV since 2010 and using a single pill combination containing-(300g tenovovir/300g lamivudine/50gdolutegravir) to date but recently on my doctors appointment for a checkup was told my viral load increased from previous results of non detectable. Am still physically OK no pain rash or any reaction signs. Unfortunately as was consumed by the shocking results never ask to see and be told my viral load figure.
-And also struggling to reduce my belly fat as it is consistently increasing with my Wight mass From 70 to 85 currently but fluctuating between 75 and 85.
-I crave sweet foods immediately after supper before i sleep.
Hi Sthembile,
Acriptega contains and ARV called Dolutegravir, is known to cause weight gain in some people who use it, please see here: https://i-base.info/htb/38392 As to how much weight you might gain, it’s not possible to predict this.
Hello, does Acriptega cause Lipodystrophy?