infections
Antiretroviral Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection
Side effects of antiretroviral medications
Side effects of combinations of antiretroviral medications may be unpleasant and serious. However, doctors can prevent many serious problems (such as anemia, hepatitis, kidney problems, and pancreatitis) by regularly examining the person and doing blood tests. The blood tests can detect side effects before they become serious and enable doctors to change antiretroviral medications when needed. For most people, doctors can find a combination of medications with minimal side effects. Metabolism of fatsmay be disturbed, probably primarily by protease inhibitors. The following may result: Fat accumulates in the abdomen and breasts of women (called central obesity), and it is lost from the face, arms, and legs. The body become less sensitive toinsulin's effects (calledinsulinresistance) Blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (two types of fat in the blood) are increased. This combination of problems (called Metabolic Syndrome ) increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. Rashes(skin reactions) are a side effect of many medications. Some skin reactions can be very dangerous, especially if the medication causing the reaction isnevirapineorabacavir. Mitochondria(structures within cells that generate energy) can be damaged when certain nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are used. Side effects include anemia, foot pain caused by nerve damage (neuropathy), liver damage that occasionally progresses to severe liver failure, and heart damage that can result in heart failure. Individual medications differ in their tendency to cause these problems. may decrease when cART is used, resulting in osteopenia or Osteoporosis . Most people with these disorders do not have any symptoms, but they are at higher risk of fracturing a bone. 