Antiretroviral Drugs Cheat Sheet
The Goal of Antiretroviral Medications
The goal of antiretroviral medications is to suppress viral replication to slow the decline in the number of CD4+ cells, preserve immune function, reduce the incidence and severity of opportunistic infections, and delay disease progression. The medications affect different stages of the HIV life cycle to prevent reproduction of new virus particles. Combination therapy may be prescribed and includes the use of more than one antiretroviral medication.
Before administering an antiretroviral medication, ensure that the medication is safe for pediatric administration. Also check the contraindications for use and the adverse effects.
Antiretroviral Medications Side Effects
Drug Name Major Side Effects
| Abacavir (Ziagen) | Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, headache, abdominal pain, tiredness, loss of Appetite Rare: Hypersensitivity reaction, lactic acidosis |
| Emtricitabine | Common: Nausea, diarrhoea, headache, raised creatine kinase levels, skin darkening Rare: Lactic acidosis, liver damage |
| Lamivudine | Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, hair loss, fever, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), rash, tiredness, joint pain Rare: Lactic acidosis, liver damage |
| Tenofovir | Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, dizziness, low blood phosphate levels, weakness, rash, headache, stomach pains, fatigue, bloating Rare: Kidney problems, bone thinning |
| Zidovudine | Common: Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, dizziness, weakness, muscle pain, loss of appetite, fever Rare: Blood disorders, lipoatrophy, lactic acidosis |
| Efavirenz | Common: Rash, dizziness, sleep disturbance, abnormal dreams, impaired concentration, nausea, vomiting, headache, tiredness, diarrhoea, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts Rare: Psychosis, severe rash, liver problems |
| Etravirine | Common: Rash, peripheral neuropathy Rare: Severe rash (Stevens Johnson syndrome) |
| Nevirapine | Common: Liver toxicity, allergic reaction, rash, nausea, headache, fatigue, stomach pain, Diarrhea Rare: Severe rash (Stevens Johnson syndrome) |
| Raltegravir | Common: Headache, insomnia (difficulty sleeping) Rare: Severe rash, hypersensitivity reaction, extreme thirst |
| Amprenavir | Common: Raised lipids, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, tiredness, tingling around the mouth, changes in liver and pancreas function, lipodystrophy, liver toxicity, diabetes Rare: Severe rash, changes in heart rhythm |
| Atazanavir | Common: Nausea, diarrhoea, rash, stomach ache, headache, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), vomiting, hyperbilirubinaemia, lipodystrophy, liver toxicity, diabetes Rare: Kidney stones, kidney problems, abnormal liver function, changes in heart rhythm |
| Darunavir | Common: Diarrhoea, nausea, rash, stomach pain, vomiting, headache, lipodystrophy, liver toxicity, diabetes, fever Rare: Abnormal liver function, changes in heart rhythm |
| Fosamprenavir | Common: Raised lipids, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, tiredness, tingling around the mouth, changes in liver and pancreas function, lipodystrophy, liver toxicity, diabetes Rare: Severe rash, changes in heart rhythm |
| Lopinavir/ritonavir | Common: Lipodystrophy, raised liver enzymes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weakness, heartburn, headache, raised lipids, liver toxicity, diabetes Rare: Changes in heart rhythm |
| Ritonavir | Common: Lipodystrophy, raised liver enzymes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weakness, heartburn, headache, raised lipids, liver toxicity, diabetes Rare: Changes in heart rhythm |