How to Manage AIDS HIV Treatment Side Effects

The most common side effects associated with the drugs usually used in HIV and AIDS drug treatment are increases in cholesterol, shifts in the way the body stores fat, nausea, dizziness, headache and stomach discomfort. Because these side effects can be severe, doctors usually form a strategy to manage them at the outset of the treatment regimen.

Things You'll Need

• Physician
• Immunodeficiency specialist

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Instructions

Minimize Your HIV and AIDS Treatment Side Effects

• 1

  Prepare and plan ahead. You should know what to expect when it comes to the side effects of HIV and AIDS drug treatment. Always ensure that you have a full and complete understanding of the side effects associated with a specific HIV or AIDS medication before you begin using it.

• 2

  Communicate with your doctor. You are seldom so limited in your options that you cannot tailor your drug treatment regimen to some extent. If, for example, a certain drug is known to induce vomiting and that's something you feel strongly about avoiding, tell your doctor. He will very likely be able to suggest another drug you can use that will be gentler on your stomach.

• 3

  Work with your doctor to anticipate the side effects of certain drugs and implement a plan to deal with them. If, for example, your doctor expects your cholesterol will rise as the result of taking a certain HIV or AIDS medicine, she can prescribe another drug designed to lower it. In other words, your treatment regimen can be designed to include drugs that will minimize the side effects you experience.

• 4

  Expect to manage, not eliminate, side effects. There is no such thing as an HIV or AIDS drug treatment regimen that is completely devoid of unwanted side effects. However, keep in mind that there is, to a degree, a misconception among the general public about the severity of the side effects of HIV and AIDS medications--serious side effects are, in fact, seen in only a small percentage of users.

• 5

  Have your doctor transition you to a different treatment regimen if you find you are unable to manage your side effects to a comfortable degree. Because there is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS, treatment is designed to improve the quality of life of afflicted individuals. Your doctor should be happy to accommodate you if you're not satisfied with your current treatment program.