Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) for Treatment of HIV Infection
By Ng Hui Cheng
Senior Oncology Pharmacist, NCC
Human Immuno-Deficiency Viral (HIV) infection is a frightening, deadly disease that has no geographic, racial, social or gender boundaries. The treatment of HIV and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has changed considerably over the last two decades as knowledge and treatment options have increased. HAART is the prescription of a variety of anti-retroviral medications used in combination to slow down the rate HIV multiplies in the body. Combinations of three or more anti-retroviral medications offer the greatest chance of minimizing the multiplication of HIV and delaying the progression to AIDS. However, the best combination to achieve this goal is yet to be known. Furthermore, these medications have complications and substantial side effects. Below is the list of anti-retroviral medications that are currently available.
| Drug Name |
Skin Reactions |
Other Side Effects |
| Abacavir |
Hypersensitivity reactions, urticaria, rash
|
Fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle ache, cough |
| Atazanavir |
|
Diarrhea, jaundice, hyperglycemia |
| Didanosine |
Erythema, oral ulcers, ulcers along the gut, rash |
Fever, peripheral neuropathy, inflammation of pancreas |
| Efavirenz |
Rash, erythema, Steven-Johnson syndrome |
Diabetes, psychiatric symptoms, pulmonary, hypersensitivity |
| Enfuvirtide |
Injection site reactions |
Numbness of extremities, hypersensitivity reactions, increased rate of bacterial pneumonia, depression, appetite loss, muscle pain, inflammation of pancreas |
| Indinavir |
Itch, hair loss, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, rash |
Diabetes, hyperglycemia, dyspepsia, erectile dysfunction, high bilirubin level |
| Lamivudine |
Hair loss, erythema, urticaria, rash |
Liver toxicity, numbness of extremities, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, headache, low white blood count |
| Nelfinavir |
|
Diarrhea, dyspepsia, hyperglycemia, breast tenderness, high lipid level |
| Nevirapine |
Rash, erythema, itch, Stevens-Johnson syndrome |
Hepatitis |
| Ritonavir |
Rash |
Liver toxicity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness of extremities, high fat level, ingrown toenails, bone pain, sexual dysfunction |
| Saquinavir |
Dry skin, itch, prickling sensation |
Headache, confusion, dehydration, fruity mouth odor, increased hunger, increased thirst, increased urination, diarrhea, nausea, feeling bloated or heartburn after eating. |
| Stavudine |
Erythema, rash |
Numbness of extremities, inflammation of pancreas, ulcers along the gut, muscle weakness |
| Zalcitabine |
Rash, mouth ulcers, ulcers along the gut |
Numbness of extremities, inflammation of pancreas, bone marrow suppression, headache |
| Zidovudine |
Rash, itch, urticaria, skin pigmentation |
Bone marrow suppression, nausea, numbness, liver toxicity, heart disease |
|
