HIV Drugs And Side Effects Resistance to some antiretroviral drugs can limit which treatment options are available to you in the future. If HIV is resistant to one drug, it will sometimes be resistant to similar drugs in the same group. This is called cross-resistance and it means that some anti-HIV drugs will not work even though you have not used them before. Most of the anti-HIV drugs have known side effects, but this does not mean that everyone who takes them will experience side effects. The most common side effects are nausea and feeling tired.
The goal of anti-HIV treatment is to reduce the amount of HIV in the body. The treatment should stop you from becoming ill for many years. Sometimes the antiretroviral therapy works without any major problems or setbacks, but sometimes there can be difficulties. The majority of studies done have shown that Side Effects of HIV drugs during Pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects. However, there are certain HIV drugs like Sustiva, and certain combinations of drugs like d4T and ddI, that should not be used by pregnant women because of potential problems for the mother or the baby. Lactic Acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. It is a rare but serious complication of the NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) class of HIV drugs, such as d4T and ddI.
Women (especially pregnant women), overweight people, and those with a long history of NRTI use are more likely to develop lactic acidosis. Some HIV symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, shortness of breath, and weakness in the arms and legs. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. Some drugs that are fine for non-pregnant women should be avoided during pregnancy.
These include cholesterol-lowering agents and PCP (pneumonia) medications. There are also drugs that are used after a woman delivers her baby to help stop the bleeding that can cause problems for women on HIV medicines. Speak to your doctor about all of your prescriptions to be sure there are no specific warnings for pregnant women or women taking HIV drugs.
HIV drugs have helped many people live longer, healthier lives. To get the most out of the drugs, it is important to take them correctly and be aware of potential side effects. If you have difficulty with a drug, don’t just stop taking it. Speak to your doctor. There is usually something that can be done about it, such as changing to another drug, altering the dose of that drug, or treating the side effect separately. While all the HIV drugs can cause side effects, not everyone will experience the same effect to the same extent. Speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment to find out what kind of side effects are possible.
It will help if you know what to expect and how to handle any problems that arise. Some important points: Side effects are most common in the first four to six weeks after starting a new medication After your body gets used to a new drug, the side effects usually lessen or go away Have doctor-recommended treatments for common side effects like diarrhea and nausea on hand Let your doctor know if you are experiencing side effects, especially if you are taking a drug that may cause a particularly serious problem Some HIV drugs may cause Menstrual Irregularities One small study suggested that women using Norvir (ritonavir) could be at greater risk for anemia due to excessive menstrual bleeding.
If you’re taking HIV therapy, watch out for any changes in your bleeding, and be sure to tell your doctor if you have heavier, prolonged, or more frequent periods. Being HIV+ and a woman puts you at higher risk for Bone Problems such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. These diseases cause weaker bones that can break more easily. So you should follow these instructions, Have your bone density checked with a DEXA scan 1 Get enough VitaminD and calcium. 2 Exercise 3 Stop smoking 4 Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol
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