..and from the drugs company front site, theBody: -

A Woman's View of HIV Drug Side Effects
By Anne Monroe
August 20, 2004

HIV drugs help HIV+ people live longer lives with fewer illnesses. But
there are potential side effects associated with all of the drugs. Some of
the side effects are worse in women than in men. Fortunately, side effects
do not happen all the time and do not happen to everyone.

Anemia

Anemia is a low red blood cell count. Without enough red blood cells, you
feel tired. Women in general are at a higher risk of anemia because of
blood loss during menstrual periods.
Anemia is common in HIV+ women and can be worse if CD4 cell counts are
less than 200. It can be a side effect of AZT. Your doctor can run a blood
test to check for anemia.


Skin Rash

Several HIV drugs can cause a skin rash, especially Viramune, Sustiva,
Rescriptor, Agenerase and Ziagen.
*    Women are seven times more likely to get a rash from Viramune than men.
If the rash is severe, you will need to switch drugs.
*    The rash from Ziagen can be caused by a dangerous allergic reaction. If
it is, you must stop the drug.
If you develop a rash, get it checked out immediately. It could be a sign
of something serious.

Liver Damage

Liver damage is most common with Viramune and the protease inhibitors.
Women (including pregnant women) starting on Viramune with a CD4 cell
count greater than 250 are 12 times more likely to develop liver problems
than other patients. Risk of liver damage is also high in HIV+ people who
have hepatitis B or C.
There may be no symptoms of liver damage, although some people do have
nausea, vomiting, fatigue or yellow eyes and skin (jaundice). It is
important that your doctor run liver function tests while you are on HIV
drugs, especially if you are just starting Viramune.

High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can be a problem with HIV drugs, especially the protease
inhibitors. People who already have diabetes must check their blood sugar
carefully while on HIV drugs.

There have also been new cases of diabetes in people on HIV drugs
(including pregnant women). Some symptoms are feeling very thirsty and
hungry and urinating a lot. Ask your doctor to check your blood sugar
along with your regular labs.

Lactic Acidosis

Lactic acidosis is a buildup of acid in the blood that can be fatal. It
sometimes occurs along with fatty liver (steatosis) or an inflamed
pancreas (pancreatitis).
The combination of d4T and ddI can cause lactic acidosis, especially in
pregnant women. Pregnant women should never use this drug combination and
nowadays it is almost never used in starting regimens for anyone with HIV.

Let your doctor know if you have any of the symptoms of lactic acidosis:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or belly pain. The doctor can run lab tests to
check for lactic acidosis.

Bone Problems

Decreased bone density and hip and joint problems can be a side effect of
the HIV drugs or HIV itself. Severe decreases in density lead to thin or
brittle bones (osteoporosis). Women, especially post-menopausal white or
Asian women, are at the highest risk for osteoporosis.

Your doctor can do a DEXA scan or ultrasound to see if you have decreased
bone density. He or she may recommend calcium, vitamin D, exercise and
quitting smoking to maintain bone density. Some post-menopausal women also
take hormone replacement therapy to slow down bone loss.

Body Fat Changes

The location of fat in your body may change while you are on HIV therapy.
Some women report extra fat in their bellies or upper back and enlarged
breasts. They also report thin arms and legs and a sunken face. The longer
you are on therapy, the more likely you are to experience these changes.
Research is ongoing to find out how to prevent or reverse body fat
changes.

Increased Blood Lipids

Increased fats (lipids) in the blood, such as cholesterol, have been
reported with protease inhibitor therapy. High cholesterol may increase
the risk of heart disease. The risk is highest in people who smoke, do not
exercise and eat a lot of saturated fat. Living a healthier life will help
your heart!
____________

If the most vile of establishment sites admits this much, can you just
imagine the full truth?