What Are The Severe Side Effects Of HIV Drugs?

What Are The Severe Side Effects Of HIV Drugs? Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system and decreases its natural ability to fight against other diseases and infections.

There are various possible reasons for HIV transmission such as blood transfusions, unprotected sex, sharing infected sharp instruments like needles, etc. It can also spread from mother to child during pregnancy.

There are many antiretrovirals drugs such as Abacavir, Emtricitabine, Truvada, etc. to treat HIV & AIDS but they come with some severe side effects.

HIV Prevention Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

According to treatment guidelines, medicine like Truvada is considered the backbone of HIV treatment. It is approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for HIV prevention (PrEP) and highly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

Studies suggested that the HIV level in 84% of people decreases by a certain amount after 48 weeks when they are treated with Truvada in combination with efavirenz (Sustiva).

In another study, 90% of people shown a positive response when treated with Truvada & dolutegravir (Tivicay).

Kidney Problems

The regular use of HIV medications like Truvada may lead to kidney failure. It is often accompanied by excessive drowsiness, nausea, unexplained shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs, decreased urine output, etc.

As there are many Truvada kidney failure lawsuits claim against the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc., consult with your doctor to check your before considering this treatment.

Lactic Acidosis

Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency when there is an accumulation of excess lactic acid in the blood.

It begins when the production of lactic acid exceeds lactic acid clearance and the body is not able to adjust to these changes. This build-up of the acid causes an imbalance in the natural pH level of the body that can become life-threatening.

Symptoms Of Lactic Acidosis Can Include:

Trouble Breathing
Weakness
Abnormal Heartbeat
Fruity-smelling Breath
Muscle Cramps
Fatigue
Confusion

Liver Damage

Liver damage can be fatal if left untreated. The regular intake of HIV medication can cause acute (sudden) hepatitis (inflammation), fatty liver disease, cirrhosis (scarring), and chronic (long duration) hepatitis.

Identify These Early Signs Of Liver Damage Which Include:

Prolonged Loss Of Appetite
Nausea
Stomach Pain
Fatigue
Dark Urine
Vomiting
Jaundiced Skin
Whites Of Your Eyes

Bone Loss

Truvada might decrease bone growth in children and cause bone loss in adults. It is one of the main reasons for weakened and thinning bones that are more susceptible to fractures

According to a study, around 13% of the people who took this treatment had more than a 5% decrease in their bone mass and 1.7% of people become osteoporotic and had a bone fracture.

Many doctors recommend that you take calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent further bone loss.

Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Treatment of AIDS and HIV with these medications can cause an active improvement in the overall function of the immune system.

But there are some cases where the body is responding to the infections you’ve had in the past. It may seem like a new infection, but the reality is that the strengthened immune system of your body is reacting to an older infection.

This ailment is responsible for your body to respond to the infection with high levels of inflammation, that is why it is also known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).

Examples of infections that can “reappear” with this condition include fungal infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.

The Common Side Effects Of Taking These Medicines Includes

Dizziness
Respiratory Infections
Vomiting
Fatigue
Sore Throat
Rashes
Headache
Trouble Sleeping
Diarrhea
Sinus Infection
Sore Throat
High Cholesterol
Depression

Many of these common side effects are temporary and they may go away within a couple of weeks. If they don’t, talk to your doctor today.

Conclusion

These medicines are most effective for reducing virus levels and preventing HIV infection in people who are at a high risk of getting HIV.

But their uses may be linked with the risk of serious health complications, including a notable drop in bone density, renal failure, kidney disease, and liver problems.

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