Please see the drug’s page for details, or refer to the manufacturer’s package insert for a full comprehensive list of potential drug side effects. Remember that side effects may or may not occur. Some are more common than others, and individuals react differently to the same drug. A drug regimen cannot be chosen solely on the basis of minimal potential for side effects. Discuss any changes, however minor, with your healthcare providers, including your pharmacist, since small reactions may become serious. There may also be management techniques for the side effect. Visit www.acria.org/treatment/treatment_edu_side_effects.html.
| Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (also called nucleoside analogs, NRTIs, or nukes) |
| Potential class side effects |
Pancreatitis, enlarged, fatty liver and lactic acidosis. |
| Combivir (Retrovir and Epivir) |
See Epivir and Retrovir. |
| Emtriva (emtricitabine, FTC) |
A very tolerable drug, but potential side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea and rash. Darkening of the skin on the palms and the soles of the feet. |
Epivir
(lamivudine, 3TC) |
A very tolerable drug, but potential side effects include headache, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, hair loss, insomnia, malaise (general ill feeling), nasal symptoms, cough, peripheral neuropathy, low white blood cells and anemia. Children note pancreatitis. |
| Epzicom (Epivir and Ziagen) |
See Epivir and Ziagen. |
| Retrovir (zidovudine or ZDV, AZT) |
Headaches, fever, chills, muscle soreness, fatigue, nausea, fingernail discoloration, anemia, and neutropenia. |
| Trizivir (Epivir, Retrovir, and Ziagen) |
Headache, nausea, upset stomach, and fatigue. See Epivir, Retrovir, and Ziagen. Note the hypersensitivity warning on Ziagen. |
| Truvada (Viread and Emtriva) |
See Viread and Emtriva. |
| Videx & Videx EC (didanosine, ddI) |
Peripheral neuropathy, upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, pancreatitis, eye changes and optic neuritis, increased uric acid levels, and insomnia. |
| Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, TDF) |
Overall fairly well tolerated; however, individuals may experience the following: nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, asthenia, flatulence, abdominal distension/pain, loss of appetite, kidney toxicities, and low blood phosphate. |
| Zerit (stavudine, d4T) |
Peripheral neuropathy, facial wasting, mitochondrial toxicities, headache, chills/fever, malaise, insomnia, anxiety, depression, rash, upset stomach, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood lipid increases. Children note peripheral neuropathy. |
| Ziagen (abacavir sulfate, ABC) |
Hypersensitivity reaction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, fever, rash, loss of appetite, high blood sugar and high triglyceride levels. |
|
| Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (also called non-nucleoside analogs, NNRTIs, or non-nukes) |
| Potential class side effects |
Rash. |
| Rescriptor (delavirdine, DLV) |
Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, elevated liver enzymes, itchy skin or rash. |
| Sustiva (efavirenz, EFV) |
Central nervous system (CNS) and psychiatric symptoms. Rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, insomnia and increased triglyercides, good cholesterol (HDL) and liver enzymes. False positive tests for use of marijuana. Birth defects. |
| Viramune (nevirapine, NVP) |
Headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and drug-induced hepatitis. |
|
| Dual-class Fixed Dose Combination |
| Atripla (Sustiva/Truvada) |
See Sustiva and Truvada (Emtriva and Viread). Atripla dose cannot be adjusted for people with kidney problems. |
|
| Protease inhibitors (PIs) |
| Potential class side effects |
Increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (except possibly unboosted Reyataz), lipodystrophy, onset of new cases or worsening of diabetes, and increased bleeding in hemophiliacs. |
| Agenerase (amprenavir) |
Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, taste disorders, headache, mood disorders, anemia, diarrhea, and rash. Agenerase has a “sulfa” component, and should be used with caution in patients with allergies to sulfa drugs. Severe rash and stomach problems (pancreatitis) is rare. |
| Aptivus (tipranavir) |
Gastrointestinal-related—mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Headaches, dry mouth, rash, dizziness, hepatotoxicity, and bleeding in the brian. Aptivus has a “sulfa” component, and should be used with caution in patients with allergies to sulfa drugs. Also see Norvir. |
| Crixivan (indinavir sulfate) |
Headache, fatigue or weakness, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin/eyes, changed skin color, dry mouth/sore throat, taste changes, painful urination, indigestion, joint pain, hives, and liver toxicity. Itchy/dry skin, ingrown toenails and hair loss. Kidney stones. Increased bilirubin. |
Invirase (saquinavir)
|
Stomach related—diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and nausea. Also see Norvir |
| Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) |
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, muscle weakness, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and elevated AST/ALT. Also see Norvir. |
| Lexiva (fos-amprenavir calcium) |
Nausea, rash, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, fatigue, mood disorders, abdominal pain, and mouth numbness. Lexiva has a “sulfa” component, and should be used with caution in patients with allergies to sulfa drugs. |
| Norvir (ritonavir) |
Weakness, stomach pain, upset stomach, tingling/numbness around the mouth, hands or feet, loss of appetite, taste disturbance, weight loss, headache, dizziness, pancreatitis, and alcohol intolerance. Liver problems, increased muscle enzymes, and uric acid. |
| Prezista |
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, headache, and common cold. Prezista contains a “sulfa” part to it and should be cautiously in patients with “sulfa” allergies. See also Norvir. |
| Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) |
Dizziness and lightheadedness. Elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin |
| Viracept (nelfinavir) |
Diarrhea, stomach discomfort, nausea, gas, weakness and rash. |
|
| Entry (fusion) Inhibitor |
| Fuzeon (enfuvirtide, T-20) |
Injection site reactions (ISRs) and pneumonia. Allergic reactions are possible. |
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