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Australian Prescriber Vol. 28 No. 6 2005
HIV treatment
Although more people are being infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), they can now live longer. This is because of the discovery of medicines that stop the virus reproducing inside the person's body.
To control the virus the patient may need to take several medicines. These have to be taken regularly to stop the virus reproducing. The virus can become resistant to treatment if the medicines are not taken regularly. The medicines will then not work as well as they did.
All medicines for HIV have side effects. Side effects which come on at the start of treatment may improve, but sometimes a change of medicine is needed.
Long-term side effects include changes in body fat, nervous problems and diabetes. As their chances of a heart attack are increased, people taking medicines for HIV should not smoke.
