World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

EVALUATION OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS ON ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ON HIV PATIENTS

Dr. Khokan Bera*, Dr. Beduin Mahanti and Anushree Bhowmick

ABSTRACT

Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic disease, but antiretroviral medications have the potential to cause short-term and long-term adverse effects. Medication- related adverse effects may manifest in overt symptoms or initially only as laboratory abnormalities. The spectrum of potential antiretroviral drug toxicity is broad, including renal toxicity, mitochondrial and metabolic effects, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight gain, cardiovascular effects, hypersensitivity, skin reactions, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric manifestations. In general, newer antiretroviral medications have improved safety profiles compared with older antiretroviral medications, and this is reflected in the recommendations issued in the Adult and Adolescent ARV Guidelines. Clinicians who provide care to persons with HIV should have an understanding of the basic toxicity profile of antiretroviral medications, keeping in mind that the potential adverse effects of most antiretroviral medications are less toxic than the effects of untreated HIV. This Topic Review will explore antiretroviral-associated adverse effects by drug class and by specific drug. Issues related to drug interactions with antiretroviral medications are addressed in the Topic Review Drug Interactions with Antiretroviral Therapy.

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