Drugs for HIV Infection
Drugs for HIV Infection
Drug* | Some Side Effects† |
|---|---|
Attachment inhibitor | |
Fostemsavir | Nausea and vomiting Possible elevations in liver enzymes in patients with hepatitis B or C virus |
Entry (fusion) inhibitors | |
Enfuvirtide (T-20) | Painful rash at the injection site and allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions (including rash, fever, chills, nausea, and low blood pressure), numbness and tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), insomnia, and loss of appetite Increased risk of pneumonia |
Maraviroc (a CCR-5 inhibitor) | Inadequate blood flow (ischemia) to the heart or heart attacks |
Post-attachment inhibitors | |
Ibalizumab | Diarrhea, tiredness, and dizziness |
Integrase inhibitors | |
Bictegravir | Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions including rash (which is occasionally severe or life threatening), headache, insomnia, and muscle aches |
Dolutegravir | Possible increased risk of fetal neural tube defects if used during early pregnancy |
Elvitegravir | Nausea and diarrhea |
Raltegravir | Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions including rash (which is occasionally severe or life threatening) and muscle aches |
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors | |
All of these drugs | Rash (occasionally severe or life threatening) and liver dysfunction |
Doravirine | Fatigue, headache, dizziness, and rarely insomnia |
Efavirenz | Dizziness, sleepiness, nightmares, confusion, agitation, forgetfulness, and intense feelings of well-being (euphoria) |
Etravirine | Severe or life-threatening rashes |
Nevirapine | Severe or life-threatening liver dysfunction and rashes, especially during the first 18 weeks of treatment |
Rilpivirine | Depression, headache, and insomnia, but fewer side effects involving brain function than efavirenz |
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors | |
All of these drugs | Lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid, a waste product of metabolism), which can be life threatening, and liver damage |
Abacavir (ABC) | A severe, sometimes fatal allergic reaction with fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, a sore throat, and/or cough Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting |
Emtricitabine (FTC) | Headache, nausea, diarrhea, and darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation), especially on the palms and soles |
Lamivudine (3TC) | Headache, fatigue, and peripheral nerve damage Rarely, pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) |
Zidovudine (AZT or ZDV) | Anemia, susceptibility to infection (resulting from bone marrow damage), liver damage, weakness, and muscle aches Rarely, pancreas inflammation |
Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors | |
Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) | Fewer side effects involving the kidneys and bone density than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate |
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) | Kidney injury Decreased bone density Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache |
Protease inhibitors‡ | |
All of these drugs | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, increased levels of blood sugar and cholesterol (common), increased abdominal fat, liver dysfunction, and a bleeding tendency (particularly in people with hemophilia) |
Atazanavir (ATV) | Rash and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) |
Darunavir | Liver injury Headache, diarrhea, severe rash, fever, and allergic reactions |
Fosamprenavir | Rash |
Lopinavir (LPV) | Mouth tingling and altered taste |
Nelfinavir (NLF) | Diarrhea |
Tipranavir (TPV) | Possibly life-threatening liver inflammation and bleeding within the brain |
*All drugs, except enfuvirtide, are taken by mouth. Enfuvirtide is injected under the skin. † Side effects listed for the class of drug can occur when any drug in that class is used. ‡ All protease inhibitors are used with a booster of either low dose ritonavir or cobicistat. | |