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Index 6.6 ARVs: choice and safety 6.7 ARVs: side effects 6.8 ARVs: resistance

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Glossary Hide

ARV anti-retroviral (treatment for HIV).

combination mixture of drugs to treat HIV.

combination therapy using 3 or more drugs together. Also called triple therapy, potent or effective therapy or HAART (highly active anti-retroviral therapy).

HIV human immunodeficiency virus.

diabetes when the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that helps the body turn sugar into energy).

enzyme a protein that triggers chemical reactions in the body.

glucose blood sugar. When carbohydrates are digested they produce glucose, which circulates in the blood and is used by the body as fuel.

lactic acidosis dangerous build up in the blood of lactate (a waste product produced when sugar is turned into energy by the body).

lipodystrophy fat loss in your arms, legs or face, or fat gain in abdomen, breasts and shoulders

non-nuke (NNRTI) non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Class of anti-HIV drug.

side effect unwanted effect from taking a medicine.

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6 HIV and pregnancy

6.7 ARVs in pregnancy: side effects

Side effects should be carefully monitored in pregnancy.

These are some important points about side effects in pregnancy.

Similar to non-pregnant adults: Approximately 80% of pregnant women using combination therapy with ARVs will experience some side effects. This is similar to the percentage of women using ARVs who are not pregnant.
Usually minor: Most side effects are minor and include nausea, feeling tired and diarrhoea. Sometimes, but more rarely, they can be very serious.
ARV side effects and pregnancy changes: Some effects of HIV medicines are very similar to the changes that happen during pregnancy, eg morning sickness and the nausea caused by ARVs. This can make it harder to tell whether treatment or pregnancy is the cause.
Anaemia (low red blood cells): This can cause tiredness. It is a very common side effect of both AZT and pregnancy. A simple blood test checks for this. If someone has anaemia they may need to take iron supplements.
Diabetes: There is a risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy. And women taking protease inhibitors in pregnancy may have a higher risk of this common complication. They should have glucose levels monitored and be screened for diabetes during pregnancy.
Lactic acidosis: Pregnancy may be an additional risk factor for raised levels of lactic acid. Your liver normally regulates this. Lactic acidosis is a rare but potentially fatal side effect of nukes. Using d4T and ddI together in pregnancy appears to be particularly risky. This combination is now not recommended in pregnancy.

Section 4: Side effects of ARVs.

Treatment training for advocates

6 HIV and pregnancy

6.7 ARVs in pregnancy: side effects