Dealing with drug side effects

January 2004     View PDF     En español

Getting a handle on side effects

Side effects often occur after starting a new anti-HIV drug but lessen or disappear after a few weeks. Other times they persist as long as that drug or combination is used.

Many symptoms related to drug side effects are also conditions that people face when they have other health conditions. This may include infections, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, depression or HIV itself.

Whenever you have symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor to diagnose the cause. But regardless of how severe or persistent the side effects are, you can try some things to manage them.