Side Effects of HIV/AIDS Drugs-ARV's

By Lawrence Munene

Antiretrovirals commonly known as ARV's used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS serves as a regulator of the virus multiplication in the body, reducing the infection in the body called the viral load.

The drugs are taken to achieve an undetectable viral load as the goal, attained when the level of HIV in the blood is too low to be detected by a viral load test. These drugs essentially takes care of the victims' longevity, giving them longer,healthier lives.

But the drugs' side effects also emerge, which can be life threatening but often preventable or manageable.

According to research carried by National Institutes of Health on Feb 5,2024 ,besides the effective treatment of the drugs, rashes are common side effects from it. Rashes are more common, more severe especially during the first days of new medications

Nausea, vomiting or feeling sick to your stomach is also a possible side effect of this drug according to the research. The good news is that nausea and vomiting often get better the first days or weeks of treatment with a new drug. However, they can be painfully unpleasant and minimize the quality of your day-to-day life.These side effects can get in the way of taking your HIV drugs regularly or as a result of throwing them up before they're digested hindering the victim from getting proper nutrition the body needs.

Is it Advisable for expectant women with HIV/AIDS taking the drug?

Yes, it is! According to the research by National Institutes of Health, all expectant patients from this virus must take this drug throughout pregnancy;for their own health, to prevent HIV transmission to their sexual partners and to prevent perinatal transmission to the baby.

Perinatal transmission of HIV means passing the disease from mother to child.

Recommendations according to health care confirms most HIV medications are safe to use during pregnancy as they don't increase the risk of birth defects, but care must be taken by health care providers, noticing the benefits and risks of specific HIV medicines for pregnant women and their unborn babies.

The solution towards these side effects lies on the hands of health care providers. Victims are advised to take a quick-to-action move and seek advice from a responsible health care organization rather than switching drugs by themselves, which oftenly may be unhelpful.

Victims can also take good notes on when and why the side effects appears - maybe as a result of taking the drugs while hungry or so full in their stomachs. This can lead health care providers to easily trace and shoot every problem, no problem lacks a solution.

Story by Lawrence Munene

Second year student,BA in Communication Studies