Neurotoxicity and Side-Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy [HAART] on the Central and Peripheral Nerve System

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Husstedt ◽  
D. Reichelt ◽  
E. Neuen-Jakob ◽  
F. Kastner ◽  
R. Einsiedel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Peripheral Nerve System ◽  
Nerve System

Subcutaneous granulomatous lesions related to ritonavir therapy in a HIV infected patient

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kawsar ◽  
S El-Gadi
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Infected Patient ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Granulomatous Lesions ◽  
Hiv Seropositive

We report a case of subcutaneous granulomatous lesions developed in a HIV seropositive man, related to ritonavir therapy. The importance of close monitoring and investigations of patients developing unusual side effects during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is demonstrated.

Advances of Research on Anti-HIV Agents from Traditional Chinese Herbs

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Chu ◽  
H. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Anti Hiv Agents ◽  
Anti Hiv

The current approach for dealing with the global pandemic of AIDS focuses on pharmaceuticals. The classic treatment of AIDS is highly active antiretroviral therapy, but most people living with HIV/AIDS—especially those in developing countries—have little or no access to the treatment because of the high cost of the therapy. Such treatment is associated with toxic side effects and drug resistance. As such, the search for better anti-HIV agents continues, with much attention focused on natural sources—particularly, plant species. Thousands of herbs have been screened for anti-HIV activity, and new compounds have been discovered from the extracts, many of which demonstrate inhibitory activity against HIV. Their mechanisms of action include inhibiting the activities of reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase; weakening infection at the level of viral entry; and downregulating related gene expression. This provides researchers with new clues to synthesize drugs for the anti-HIV battle. Some synthetic derivatives of the anti-HIV natural products have stronger inhibitory effects in vitro than do their natural counterparts. Various mixed preparations of these anti-HIV herbs are in clinical trials or are applied in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS—some of which yield lower plasma viral load, enhance immune function, relieve related symptoms and signs, improve the quality of life, or, in combination with highly active antiretroviral therapy, alleviate the side effects of biomedical drugs. This article reviews current laboratory findings and clinical trials of anti-HIV agents from traditional herbs—particularly, herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Drug interactions with highly active antiretroviral therapy and criteria for clinical evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine treatment are also discussed.

Drug-Drug Interactions and HIV Therapy: What Should Pharmacists Know?

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 278-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan A. Krikorian ◽  
Dorothea C. Rudorf
Keyword(s):  
Drug Interaction ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Hiv Therapy ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Complex Patients

Drug-interaction issues continue to present a major dilemma for the clinician caring for complex patients such as those infected with HIV. The inherent possibility of a drug interaction is magnified by the multitude of drugs being administered in highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In addition, other classes of medications are used to alleviate side effects, reduce toxicities associated with HAART, or treat concomitant diseases. The modification of one drug by another substance or drug-drug interaction is the main focus of this article. Drug-drug interactions may result in toxicity, treatment failure, or loss of effectiveness and can significantly affect a patient’s clinical outcome. An understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of HIV drug-drug interactions may allow for the early detection or avoidance of troublesome regimens and prudent management if they develop. Although HIV drug interactions are usually thought of as detrimental, resulting in a loss of therapeutic effect or toxicity, some drug interactions such as ritonavir boosted protease inhibitor–based antiretroviral treatments are beneficial and are commonly used in clinical practice. Therefore, pharmacists need to understand drug interaction mechanisms, remember key drug interactions, and vigilantly monitor patients for potential complications.

Reasons for complementary therapies and characteristics of users among HIV-infected people

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 482-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vittorio Agnoletto ◽  
Francesca Chiaffarino ◽  
Paola Nasta ◽  
Roberto Rossi ◽  
Fabio Parazzini
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Nutritional Supplements ◽  
European Countries ◽  
General Malaise ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Highly Active

The aim of this study was to analyse in a large sample of HIV-infected subjects the expectations toward complementary therapies (CT) and the characteristics of users. Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were distributed in seven European countries among HIV-infected subjects consecutively attending the offices of AIDS organizations. Among 632 ever CT users, nutritional supplements (124 subjects) and psycho-physiological approaches (116 subjects) were the most frequent CT used: 61.4% used CT to improve energy. Half the CT users wanted to prevent or alleviate the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) side effects. General malaise and neuropathy were the most common HAART side effects, where CT users found improvement (62.0% and 54.7%, respectively). Acupuncture improved neuropathy in a high proportion of subjects (87.5%); whereas for others CT were considered less effective (range 20.0–36.4%). The most common expectations from CT were to improve energy and to prevent or alleviate the HAART side effects. This suggests that HIV-infected people expect not so much specific help as general support from CT.

scholarly journals Self-reported adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Ekiuwa V. Eribo ◽  
Omokhoa A. Adeleye
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Adherence Level ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Cd4 Cell

Background: Non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) favours drug resistance and wastes resources. These have negative implications for personal and public health. Objective: To assess adherence levels, the associated factors and its association with increase in CD4 cell count in people living with HIV (PLHIVs). Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, systematically selected adult PLHIVs attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria self-reported their 28-day adherence to HAART and reasons for missing doses using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Their 6-month difference in CD4 cell count was also assessed. Results: The participants totalled 425. Their mean age was 38.6 (SD, 10.1) years and 309 (72.7%) had secondary or tertiary education. The 28-day mean adherence level was 96.8% (SD, 7.9%) and 354 (83.3%) participants had optimaladherence (≥ 95%). Socio-demographic characteristics, side effects and having human reminders were not associated with adherence level, but 100% adherence level since placement on HAART was positively associated with a 6-monthincrease in CD4 cell count (p < 0.01; OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.21 – 2.89). Reasons given by 156 respondents for missing doses included being too busy, 100 (64.1%), forgetting, 85 (54.5%) and sleeping off, 42 (26.9%). Conclusion: Mean adherence was high and the majority of participants had optimal adherence. “Never missing a dose” was associated with improved CD4 cell counts, indicating better prognosis. Socio-demographic factors, side effects and human reminders were not associated with an increase in adherence. However, as there is no evidence that adherence improvement measures are detrimental, their use is still recommended. Keywords: Medication adherence, HAART, HIV, drug resistance, Nigeria, Funding: None declared

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