Side-effects
The commonest side-effects of nelfinavir (Viracept), which are most likely to occur during the early weeks of treatment, are diarrhoea, nausea and headache[1]. Medicines to control diarrhoea, which occurs in 20% of patients, can be prescribed before a patient starts nelfinavir, including lop loperamide (Imodium), calcium tablets, L-glutamine, probiotics and soluble fibre supplements[2][3][4][5][6].
As a class, protease inhibitors have been associated with a syndrome of fat and metabolic irregularities. This syndrome includes altered body fat distribution, high fat levels in the blood, insulin resistance, diabetes, increased levels of blood sugar, and increased bleeding in haemophiliacs. For more details see Body fat and metabolic changes whilst on treatment.
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