Question

Can I change my treatment to avoid peripheral neuropathy?

1 October 2010. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects.

My current HIV drugs are:
stavudine+lamivudine+efavirenz

Due to the stavudine my feet are giving me pain and I cannot walk bare foot in my home.

Can I change to lamivudine+zidovidine+efavirenz? I am not able to use nevirapine.

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry to hear about your pain. This is a side effect called peripheral neuropathy and it is very common with the use of stavudine. For more information about peripheral neuropathy please follow this link

Changing treatment to zidovudine is a very good idea and the sooner you change the better as it is more likely to reverse some of the peripheral neuropathy if it is caught quickly.

Other things you can try are:

• Avoid tight fitting shoes and socks which restrict blood circulation.
• Keep your feet uncovered at night – keeping them cooler and out of contact with sheets or bedding.
• Try deep tissue massage.
• Don’t walk or stand for long periods.
• Soak your feet in cool water.