Treating the Side Effects of ART
Using Over-the-Counter Medications and Lifestyle Changes
Dec 23, 2008
As with all medications, antiretroviral treatment (ART) has a number of negative side effects. ART is the combination medicine used to treat HIV/AIDS. Taking ART at the same time each day, without missing a dose, is imperative to keeping viral loads low and preventing drug resistance. For this reason, monitoring and treating side effects is important to helping patients adhere to the ART drug regimen.
While side effects vary with each medication, the most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rashes, weight loss, and lipid abnormalities. Most side effects begin within a few days of starting a new treatment and last for a few weeks, while the body is adjusting to the drugs. A few more concerning and rare side effects may not occur until the individual has been on the treatment for a number of months, or even years, and may be not subside, even if treatment is stopped.
Dealing with ART Side Effects
Dealing with side effects is never easy, but there are a number of things individuals can do to help minimize them. For side effects like nausea and vomiting, it is often useful to treat the symptom using an over-the-counter medication. Patients should always check with their physician before taking any medications to ensure that there are no adverse drug interactions.
Using Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can also help minimize ART side effects. Drinking alcohol, consuming caffeine, and smoking cigarettes can both effect the way medications work in the body. Avoiding these, or at least limiting them, can help decrease side effects. While the adverse side effects of ART can make even walking around difficult, physical activity can also help decrease their severity.
Improvements in diet can also decrease the severity of side effects. Eating more soluble fiber, like what is found in pasta and rice, can help decrease diarrhea. In addition, avoiding fatty and spicy foods can help prevent diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Eating small meals throughout the day can also help reduce stomach problems. In addition to improving diet, drinking plenty of water decreases the chance of dehydration.
Lipid Abnormality Concerns
Lipid abnormalities, including high cholesterol, are more common in patients taking antiretroviral drugs than in those not taking them. Lifestyle changes mentioned previously, diet changes and physical activity, greatly help to decrease bad cholesterol. In addition, adding fish or an omega-3 supplement to the diet can greatly improve these levels. For many patients, medication is needed, in addition to the ART, to keep cholesterol levels low.
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