The University of California, San Francisco writes that HIV antiviral medications help maintain the general health of the immune system. However, these drugs are not without side effects. Avert.Org explains that side effects vary from person to person. Some individuals may take antivirals for years without experiencing adverse effects, while others experience quite the reverse. There are several common, long-term side effects of HIV antiviral use.
Liver Damage
The Test Positive Aware Network describes how certain kinds of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), as well as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) may cause liver damage over long-term use. Some of the symptoms include general “flu-like” symptoms, dark urine, pale stool, nausea, pain in around the liver, as well as a jaundiced appearance. In addition, NRTIs may cause fat to develop around the liver. Avert.Org mentions that switching medication may alleviate this side effect.
Lipodystrophy
Avert.Org defines lipodystrophy as the losing or gaining of fat in disfiguring ways. This may involve losing fat around places such as the face, arms, and buttocks, resulting in a somewhat emaciated appearance. However, this may also manifest as fat gain around the abdominal regions, as well as between the shoulder blades. This condition is very common in long-term use of NRTIs and protease inhibitors (PIs). According to Avert.Org, addressing this complication is somewhat limited, although the Test Positive Aware Network strongly suggests that managing diet, as well as exercising regularly, can help. Weight lifting, for example, can improve the appearance of emaciated limbs by building up muscle, while running or swimming may burn fat–although this may have both a positive and negative effect on appearance, depending on how the fat is redistributed. Moreover, this may prove effective on fat just below the skin, but have little affect on fat deposits that located at deeper levels. Avert.Org also points out that changing antivirals may stop the side effects from worsening, but may do little to reverse them.
Peripheral Neuropathy
According to the Mayo Clinic, peripheral neuropathy (dysfunction of the nerves) causes numbness and pain in the hands and feet. The pain can feel like a mild tingling, but can also feel like a severe burning sensation that can be potentially disabling. The numbness is akin to wearing very thick socks or gloves in the affected areas, and is essentially caused by nerve damage. According to Avert.Org, the medications commonly associated with peripheral neuropathy are NRTIs. Avert.Org also notes that massaging the affected areas or taking painkillers can help alleviate the symptoms. Reducing dosage or switching medication may also be helpful.
About this Author
Joseph Pritchard graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Medical School with a medical degree. He has spent almost a decade studying humanity. Dr. Pritchard writes for the Examiner.com as the SF biology examiner and thoroughly enjoys sharing the knowledge he has accumulated.
