what are the side effects of arv treatment

What happens if I miss or skip a dose of ARV?

Aug 31, 2020 · Integrase inhibitors. Nausea, vomiting, or change in appetite. Diarrhea, gas, or abdominal pain. Headache, dizziness, or vertigo. Rash or itching. Abnormal dreams, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Fatigue or weakness. Changes in liver or pancreas function tests. Weight gain. Depression ...

What are the long term side effects of ARVs?

Almost all medicines have side effects, including HIV medicines. While your HIV medicines are controlling the virus in your body, they may also cause: Anaemia (abnormality in red blood cells). Diarrhoea. Dizziness. Fatigue. Headaches. Nausea and …

How can I minimise the side effects of ARV treatment?

4 Side effects of ARVs Overview of risk of side effects. Differences between major and minor side effects. How to reduce side effects, including switching treatment. Side effects of the most commonly used drugs. 4. 1-4.2 Introduction and aims; 4. 3 Side effects overview; 4. 4 Common side effects: feeling sick, diarrhoea and tiredness; 4. 5 Liver toxicity and rash

What are the side effects of antiretrovirals?

Jan 20, 2004 · Common but mild adverse effects occurring early in most antiretroviral regimens include gastrointestinal effects such as bloating, nausea and diarrhea, which may be transient or may persist throughout therapy. 6 Other common nuisance adverse effects are fatigue and headache caused by AZT and nightmares associated with EFV. Several uncommon but more …

What are the long term side effects of ARVs?

Long-Term Side EffectsFat redistribution. Your body may change the way it makes, uses, and stores fat. ... Higher cholesterol or triglyceride levels. These can raise your risk for problems like heart disease. ... High blood sugar. ... Liver damage (hepatotoxicity).Apr 28, 2021

How long does it take for ARV side effects last?

Side-effects soon after starting treatment The most common side-effects are the result of your body getting used to a new drug and, after a few weeks, these side-effects usually lessen or go away completely. Some common short-term side-effects of anti-HIV drugs are: diarrhoea.Feb 27, 2021

What does ARVs do to your body?

Antiretroviral therapy prevents the virus from multiplying, which reduces the amount of HIV in the body. This gives the immune system a chance to produce more CD4 cells.

How do I overcome the side effects of ARVs?

You can manage these short-term side effects with a few self-care steps.Fatigue Try to schedule extra rest and scale back strenuous workouts.Nausea Eat smaller meals and limit spicy foods. ... Diarrhea Drink plenty of water and other healthy beverages like fruit juice or broth to replace lost fluids.More items...•Jan 31, 2022

Does ARVs damage liver?

Like many medications, certain antiretroviral drugs can harm the liver, known as hepatotoxicity. Fortunately, modern antiretrovirals are generally much easier on the liver than older meds that are no longer widely used.

How do I know if my ARVs are working?

Your treatment regimen is considered effective if it's able to control HIV to the point that the virus is virtually undetectable in your body. The virus is still present, but the viral load level is low enough that HIV is considered controlled.May 22, 2014

What is the difference between hiv1 and hiv2?

Two HIV virus types exist: HIV-1 is pandemic and aggressive, whereas HIV-2 is confined mainly to West Africa and less pathogenic. Despite the fact that it has been almost 40 years since the discovery of AIDS, there is still no cure or vaccine against HIV.Sep 5, 2019

Does ARV make you sick?

Many people experience some mild side-effects, particularly in the first few days and weeks of starting treatment. For example, you might feel sick or have a headache. Although unpleasant, most side-effects should improve and go away altogether as your body gets used to taking the drug.

What is the best time to take ARVs?

Taking your medicines at the right time, as close as possible to the same time each day. Usually, this means taking the drug within a two-hour window (up to one hour either side of the set time). Following any instructions about food.Jul 4, 2019

Can ARV cause your face to be dark?

This is a skin condition in which the skin reacts to exposure to the sun by turning darker in color. It's most common in people of color, but anyone with HIV is susceptible to photodermatitis. If you're taking medications to improve immune strength, you may have this reaction as a side effect.

What is the name of the new ARV pill?

The medication that is being tested this way is called lenacapavir. It works in a different way from existing anti-HIV drugs. It interferes with part of the HIV lifecycle – the assembly and disassembly of the HIV capsid, which is the 'container' for HIV's genetic material.Jul 26, 2021

Can ARVs cause brain damage?

This is because many drugs used to combat HIV cannot cross the protective layer called the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain, and even those that can may not completely control the virus in the brain. Antiretroviral drugs can also become toxic after long-term use and cause neurological side effects.Nov 15, 2021

What are the side effects of HIV?

Some of the most common long term side effects of HIV treatment include: 1 Lipodystrophy is a problem in the way your body produces, uses, and stores fat (also called “fat redistribution”). These changes can include losing fat in the face and extremities and gaining fat in the abdomen and back of the neck. 2 Insulin Resistance is a condition that can lead to abnormalities in your blood sugar levels and possibly, Diabetes. Going for a regular blood sugar level test at your nearest lab is a good way to find out if you have insulin resistance. 3 Lipid abnormalities are when there is an increase in cholesterol or triglycerides. Like with insulin resistance, lab tests that check for cholesterol and triglycerides levels are the best way to detect lipid abnormalities. 4 A decrease in bone density can be a significant issue especially for older adults with HIV. This can lead to an increased risk of injury and fractures. 5 Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactate, a cellular waste product, in the body. This can cause problems ranging from muscle aches to liver failure. Alert your health care provider immediately if you suspect you might have this condition.

How long does it take for HIV side effects to go away?

These side effects usually go away after a brief adjustment period, lasting anywhere from a few days to a month.

What are lipid abnormalities?

Lipid abnormalities are when there is an increase in cholesterol or triglycerides. Like with insulin resistance, lab tests that check for cholesterol and triglycerides levels are the best way to detect lipid abnormalities. A decrease in bone density can be a significant issue especially for older adults with HIV.

Can HIV cause bone loss?

A decrease in bone density can be a significant issue especially for older adults with HIV. This can lead to an increased risk of injury and fractures. Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactate, a cellular waste product, in the body. This can cause problems ranging from muscle aches to liver failure.

Does ARV work?

Mild side effects are common and are often a good sign that the medicine has started to work. The main goal of HIV treatment is to fight HIV in the body, but it also aims to do this without causing extreme side effects. The side effects of ARV treatment are often mild.

What are the side effects of HIV?

High cholesterol. Mood changes. Nausea and vomiting. Rash. Trouble sleeping. Other side effects. Takeaway. The main treatment for HIV is a class of drugs called antiretrovirals. These drugs don’t cure HIV, but they can reduce the amount of virus in the body of someone with HIV.

How many antiretroviral drugs are there for HIV?

This keeps the immune system strong enough to fight off disease. Today, more than 40 antiretroviral drugs are approved to treat HIV. Most people who treat their HIV will take two or more of these drugs each day for the rest of their lives.

Can HIV drugs cause side effects?

However, HIV drugs can still cause side effects. Some are mild, while others are more severe or even life-threatening. A side effect can also get worse the longer a drug is taken. It’s possible for other medications to interact with HIV drugs, causing side effects. Other health conditions can also make the side effects from HIV drugs worse.

Can you take a med with food?

Milder side effects may go away as soon as the body gets used to the drug. If not, a healthcare provider might suggest changing the way the drug is taken. For instance, they may recommend taking it with food instead of on an empty stomach, or at night instead of in the morning.

Can HIV medication cause a rash?

Rash is a side effect of almost every HIV medication. But a severe rash can also be a sign of an allergic reaction or another serious condition. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have a rash along with any of the following:

Can you stop taking HIV medication?

Taking HIV drugs exactly as prescribed is important for them to work properly. If side effects occur, don’t stop taking the medication. Instead, talk with the healthcare team. They may suggest ways to ease the side effects, or they may tweak the treatment plan.

Does exercise help with belly fat?

What might help: Exercise can help reduce body fat from the whole body, including the areas where fat has built up. An injectable drug called tesamorelin (Egrifta) may help reduce excess belly fat in people who take HIV drugs. However, when people stop taking tesamorelin, belly fat is likely to come back.

How long does it take for ARV to go away?

These side effects may disappear in two to six weeks. The same can hold true for other, more specific symptoms. How long does ARVs stay in your body? ARV drugs keep HIV under control, but they don't stay in your body for a long time, so you have to keep topping them up.

How to treat a syringe?

You can manage these short-term side effects with a few self-care steps: 1 Fatigue. Try to schedule extra rest, and if needed when fatigue sets in, temporarily scale back on strenuous workouts. 2 Nausea. Eating smaller meals and limiting spicy foods may help. 3 Diarrhea. 4 Rash.

What is lipodystrophy in medicine?

Lipodystrophy, or “lipo” for short, is a collection of body shape changes in people taking antiretroviral medications (ARVs ). “Lipo” refers to fat, and “dystrophy” means bad growth. These changes include fat loss, fat deposits, and metabolic changes. Fat loss occurs in the arms, legs, or face (sunken cheeks).

How to manage HIV side effects?

These steps can help you manage some of the most common side effects: Fatigue. Try brief, 20- to 30-minute naps. Cut back your work schedule if you can. Balanced meals will give your body fuel, and gentle exercise can boost your energy. Feeling queasy and throwing up. You need to take some HIV medicines with food.

What to do if you have serious side effects?

Long-Term Side Effects. Some side effects may not go away or could cause serious problems. But there’s often a way to manage them so they don’t affect your life: Fat redistribution.

What is the goal of HIV treatment?

The main goal of HIV treatment is to fight the virus in your body. The challenge is to do this without causing unpleasant, unhealthy side effects. Medication side effects vary from person to person. For some, they're mild.

How long does it take for ART to get better?

They usually get better within a few weeks. Often, you can do or take something to prevent or ease the side effects.

How to get rid of HIV?

Eat healthy food, and try to exercise every day. Reach out for support if you need to. The doctor can let you know how to take the HIV medicine, or prescribe a medicine to lessen the side effects. If needed, the doctor can switch you to different HIV drugs. Fatigue. Try brief, 20- to 30-minute naps.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Symptoms include rash, stomach pain, fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite, dark urine, and light-colored bowel movements. Your doctor will watch you for liver damage once you start HIV treatment, and they might change your medications if you show symptoms. Loss of bone density.

Can you lose fat in your legs?

The doctor will call this lipodystrophy. You might lose fat in your face and legs while gaining it in your belly and the back of your neck. Switching medications can keep symptoms from getting worse, but there are few other options for dealing with this. Higher cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

What are the side effects of HIV treatment?

Prevention steps include weight-bearing exercise and a diet that promotes bone health. Liver damage.

How to manage HIV side effects?

When starting HIV treatment, there may be some milder side effects that can last a couple of weeks and then resolve as your body adjusts to the medication. You can manage these short-term side effects with a few self-care steps: 1 Fatigue. Try to schedule extra rest, and if needed when fatigue sets in, temporarily scale back on strenuous workouts. 2 Nausea. Eating smaller meals and limiting spicy foods may help. Try to avoid being around overpowering cooking aromas. 3 Diarrhea. Be sure to drink plenty of water and other healthy beverages to replace lost fluids. Try cutting back on raw foods and whole grains as well as spicy dishes. Focus on bland food until you feel better. 4 Rash. Skip scented body products and try to wear only natural, soft fibers like cotton and linen.

What are the long term effects of HIV?

These complications need specific medical care or a change in your HIV medication and may include: High levels of cholesterol and other fats in your blood.

Can HIV cause nausea?

However, be aware that sometimes side effects that seem mild — like a rash, fever, or nausea — may be a sign of a more serious medical problem that needs treatment. When starting a new HIV medication, be sure to ask your doctor how long you should wait for mild side effects to subside before seeking medical attention.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Signs and symptoms include stomach pain, dark-colored urine, jaundice, and light- or clay-colored stools. Your doctor can run tests and determine what action needs to be taken. Dr. Volberding says there are so many drug options now available for HIV treatment that dealing with drug-related side effects is mostly a matter of switching medications.

What happens when HIV mutates?

A different type of side effect can occur when your HIV medication no longer works effectively. Drug resistance is a major issue in HIV treatment. It typically occurs when HIV mutates, or makes new variations of itself, and can no longer be controlled by a medicine that was previously effective.

How to get rid of a swollen thigh?

Try cutting back on raw foods and whole grains as well as spicy dishes. Focus on bland food until you feel better. Rash. Skip scented body products and try to wear only natural, soft fibers like cotton and linen. Other temporary side effects may include headache, fever, muscle pain, and dizziness.