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Kivexa Side Effects

The AIDS charity AVERT reports that an estimated 102,333 people who live in the United Kingdom had HIV as of 2008. The advanced stages of HIV, known as AIDS, often result in death as the immune system becomes unable to function properly and protect the body. Although there is no cure for HIV or AIDS, there are an increasing number of treatments available to help prolong the life of people with the disease. In the United Kingdom, the brand name of one such drug is Kivexa. Despite its effectiveness, this drug is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • The most common side effects of Kivexa are not normally serious in nature and often diminish once the body becomes accustomed to the drug. Many patients taking Kivexa experience an decrease in appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Skin effects like loss of hair and rash also are common. Also, many patients using Kivexa report feelings of fatigue but have difficulty sleeping.

    Other Side Effects

    • Kivexa also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Some of its side effects mimic those of a respiratory infection or the flu such as a fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough and body aches. Some patients also report headaches and joint pain while using Kivexa.

    Drug Interactions

    • There are some medications which produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Kivexa. For instance, certain drugs used to treat bacterial infections and illnesses such as Bactrim and Septra increase levels of Kivexa in the blood, leading to an increase in unwanted side effects. Additionally, one should not combine certain types of antriretroviral drugs with Kivexa such as Hivid and Zerit as they often contribute to the development of diabetes and the wasting away of the muscles in the arms and legs.

    Allergic Reactions

    • Kivexa causes allergic reactions in approximately 8 percent of patients who take the drug, reports the AIDS education charity Poz Ireland. These reactions typically occur within the first two weeks of taking Kivexa. Symptoms of an allergic side effect to Kivexa include itchy hives, swelling of the lips or shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Kivexa, seek emergency medical attention. You will need to stop taking Kivexa to avoid a subsequent and possibly life-threatening reaction.

    Risks

    • In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Kivexa has the potential to cause serious medical complications. For some patients, using Kivexa cause the onset of hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver. Kivexas also can cause the inflammation of other organs such as the pancreas. Additionally, there is the possibility for the development of serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which typically require emergency medical attention. In addition, there is a risk for the development of fatty deposits on the back of your neck while using the drug.

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