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Side effects of ART
ART has helped many people live longer, healthier lives. But like many medicines,
ARVs can have side effects for some people. Many people find that as their body
gets used to the medicine, the side effects lessen and may go away completely.
Some common side effects for ART are diarrhea, tiredness, headaches, and stomach
problems such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or not feeling like eating. Even
if you feel bad, keep taking all your medicines until your health worker tells you to
change or stop.
Some side effects are signs that the medicine needs to be changed. Serious side
effects include tingling or burning feelings in the hands and feet, fever, rashes,
yellow eyes, tiredness with shortness of breath, anemia and other blood problems,
and liver problems. If you have serious side effects, see a health worker right away.
ARV regimens for adults and adolescents (not for children)
d4T (stavudine), 30
+ 3TC (lamivudine), 150 mg + NVP (nevirapine), 200 mg
These 3 medicines come combined in one pill called Triomune.
or
d4T (stavudine), 30
+ 3TC (lamivudine), 150 mg + EVF (efavirenz),
or 600 mg, one time a day
AZT (ZDV, zidovudine), 300 mg + 3TC (lamivudine), 150 mg + NVP (nevirapine), 200 mg
AZT and 3TC come combined in one pill called Combivir.
or
AZT (ZDV, zidovudine), 300 mg + 3TC (lamivudine), 150 mg + EVF (efavirenz),
AZT and 3TC come combined in one pill called Combivir.
600 mg, one time a day
IMPORTANT
Some ART medicines seem to cause more serious side effects than others. One
of these is stavudine (d4T). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
d4T-based treatment should be slowly phased out. In many countries, people
with AIDS do not take stavudine any more. In other countries this is not always
possible because there are no other medicines available or because other drugs are
more expensive. If you have AIDS and you want to take ART medicines, talk with an
experienced HIV/AIDS health worker in your community to see if other medicines
are available.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007