Question
I have a serious rash from starting treatment – should I stop taking my meds?
25 January 2011. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects, Starting treatment, Stopping treatment.
I am a 30 year old woman I got tested for HIV in 2009 and was found positive. In April 2010 I developed Kaposi’s Sarcoma but had only a few lesions. In December 2010 my CD4 count was 221 and I started ARVs, within a week I developed a very bad rash and they had to change my medication, I had been on this new drug for two weeks and I developed another rash which gets worse every day and I’m seriously considering stopping taking ARVs altogether because I feel like I was healthier without them and the rash is really affecting me, physically and emotionally. Please advice
Answer
Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time taking the HIV medication. Many people experience side effects when starting medication. Some of these side effects lessen 2-4 weeks after starting the meds. If they continue then you should talk to your HIV doctor about changing your meds again until you find the right combination for you. You should not stop taking the meds or you will become sick very quickly and you could end up with resistance to some of the meds. This will limit your treatment choice in the future.
Although many drugs are linked to rash, the severity of rash and how long it lasts varies considerably. With some drugs, if you develop a rash during the first few weeks of therapy you must report this immediately to your doctor. This is because it can sometimes lead to very serious reactions. These drugs are abacavir (Ziagen, and in Trizivir and Kivexa), nevirapine (Viramune), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva) and T-20 (enfuvirtide, Fuzeon).
Other rashes are more likely to be mild and disappear without treatment, or can be easily treated with antihistamine drugs such as cetirizine (Zirtek) or loratadine (Clarityn).
It would help me give you a more specific answer if you could tell me the meds you took previously and the ones you are on now?
For more information please follow this link.
Hi Cindy,
Starting ARVs can cause side effects but these are usually mild and they go away in a few weeks. But it’s important that you show your rash to the doctor. A severe rash like this could mean a serious reaction to treatment. In this case it’s a good idea to get it checked out quickly.
Hi I’ve started ARV 2weeks ago and now I got very serious rash and I can’t sleep can I stop or continue
Hi Nonhle,
Do you mean that the clinic don’t want you to change treatment? Have they looked at your rash? It’s important that a doctor looks at your rash to see if it’s a serious reaction to your HIV treatment. Talking to the clinic about chnaging to other meds might help. Here is a guide to skin rash that has some tips on helping to soothe the skin.
Hi I started a treatment for HIV.and I’m pregnant.and I have a rush all over my body.and it itching so badly.i can’t even sleep.day and night.and they don’t wann change me in the clinic.pls help the is anything can help me.i even stop talking them.
Hi Hlamulo,
If you’ve been on meds for 2 years its unlikely that this is related to your medication. Seeing a dermatologist should help.
i have been on arv for 2years and recently develop a rash. what can it be.
Hi Eddie,
It’s good you’ve started on Trivenz. But it’s important you have any rash looked at and checked out by a doctor. Especially as you’ve recently started treatment and also have a headache.
I ve started Travinz 10 days ago and now i have developed rash on my back, legs and arms. I also felt a slight headache should i consult my doctor or it will go away?
Hi Ruth,
If you’ve developed a rash you should seek medical attention. Though it may just be a mild reaction, it could be something more serious. Your doctor should be able to advise.
I have started arvs odimune ,bactrim and multivitamin four days ago. I have developed rash on my face,neck and upper back.