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 Lg, for information about Apetito please ask at the pharmacist where you got it or read the information that comes with it.
Hi
Does apetito make you lose weight you’ve gained while taking it, if you stop taking it?
Hi Nthateng, I am sorry to hear this. What are the side effects you are experiencing? and for how long have you been noticing them?
How long have you been on Volutrip? If you have only recently started treatment it can take a few weeks to settle as your body adjusts to the treatment. What time of the day do you take Volutrip? Taking it in the morning is recommended. This is because it can cause problems sleeping if you take it later in the day.
I’m taking volutrip pills and the side effects are killing me should I go to the clinic would they change the pills for me?
Hi Pongco, how much weight have you lost since starting treatment? and when did you start treatment? Do you know the name of the treatment you are taking?
HI IM ON TREATMENT AND THE TREATMENT MAKE ME THIN IN MY BODY
Hi Za, what medication were you taking before this? and when did these symptoms start? Acriptega is a generic version of TLD. This type of treatment does not cause legs to thin and though can cause some weight gain, would not directly cause it to be central. Have you mentioned these symptoms to your doctor?
Hi my name is Za I’ve been using ART for 25 years now the Dr changed me to Acriptega and my belly is big and my leg is thin what must I do
Hi Cindi, it sounds like you might have these body shanges becasue of the first HIV meds that you used. If yes, then the side effect is called lipodystrophy.
https://i-base.info/guides/side/lipodystrophy
Sometimes this includes fat loss (lipoatrophy) and sometimes fat gain (lipohypertrophy).
This was common with early meds but modern HIV drugs shouldn’t cause this.
Other than using diet nd exercise, it is very difficult to reverse these changes.
Please talk to your doctor about this so at least they can talk to you about the changes.
Hi I’ve been taking pills for HIV since 2005 and my legs become so tiny and my stomach is very big and my face shrink can I take Cipla actin