A guide to avoiding & managing side effects

Order print edition | Download PDF (564 Kb).

This is the fourth edition of a booklet that was first produced in 2001. Over 65,000 copies have been distributed in the UK and it has been translated into over 20 languages including Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Hindi, Nepali, Romanian and Russian.

We now focus on the most commonly used and recommended treatments, including new and recently approved drugs.

General information

Introduction and changes to the May 2008 edition.
General questions: What are side effects? Why do side effects occur? and other questions.
How to report side effects to your doctor: How to tell your doctor about your side effects and how they are affecting you.
Side effects diary: Chart to record changes in your health that could be related to side effects.
How side effects are graded: Side effects by type and grade.
Side effects and drug levels: Side effects are sometimes related to the levels of drugs in your blood – for some drugs, this can be tested.
Changing treatment: About changing treament because of side effects – different options.
Side effects and adherence: Adherence (taking your drugs on time) is important – what to do if side effects can make this harder.
You and your doctor: Developing a good relationship with your doctor – things you can do to help, your rights as a patient.
Further information: Internet references; Alternative treatments.; Where to find more information.

Individual side effects

General side effects: Diarrhoea.; Nausea and vomiting.; Fatigue – feeling tired.; Skin rash.; Dry skin, nail problems, hair loss, frozen shoulder.; Sexual problems.; Insomnia – disturbed sleep.; Efavirenz (Sustiva) side effects: mood alteration, anxiety, dizzyness, sleep disturbance.
Progressive and acute side effects: Peripheral neuropathy.; Liver toxicity, rash and nevirapine.; Lactic acidosis, pancreatitis and fatty liver.; Abacavir hypersensitivity reaction (HSR).; Kidney toxicity & kidney stones.; Increased bilirubin & jaundice.; T-20 side effects.; Lipodystrophy – overview.; Fat loss (lipatrophy).; Fat accumulation.; Cholesterol & triglycerides.; Increased blood sugar and risk of type 2 diabetes.; Heart disease.; Bone mineral changes.

Disclaimer
Information in this guide is not intended to replace information from your doctor or other healthcare workers. Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor.

This is the web edition of the i-Base guide Avoiding & managing side effects. This guide is available in UK clinics. You can order free printed copies or download a PDF version (564 Kb). There are also several translations.