Question

Do black and white people respond differently to treatment?

22 June 2006. Related: All topics, Side effects.

Is this any difference in the way white and black people respond to treatment and if so what are the differences?

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

In general there are very few differences between the way different racial groups respond to treatment. Sometimes differences relate to the type of viruses that people are infected with. This is called the HIV sub-type. Even then, most differences are small and may be related to risk of developing resistance. There are some genetic differences that are linked to race though. One of these is that efavirenz may be metabolized more slowly by Africans compared to Caucasian people. Because levels of the drugs are higher, this could mean a higher risk for efavirenz-related side effects. It also means that if you discontinue efavirenz for any reason, you needs to be especially careful so as to not risk get resistance.

A few other HIV drugs (including AZT) can change make fingernails darker if you are Black, and FTC can cause a rash on the hands of Black people but not White people – though both of these pigment changes don’t do your health any harm, they can be disconcerting, and so people often chance to alternative treatments.

(Adapted from a question from the i-Base Q&A pages of the African Eye a new treatment publication for African communities affected by HIV who are living in the UK)