This booklet provides information about the possible side-effects of HIV treatment. All drugs, including those used to treat HIV, can cause unintended/unwanted effects, and you may be reading this because you are worried about such side-effects or have experienced them.

There is information here to help you understand, avoid and deal with them.

Side-effects are not inevitable, and just because one is discussed in this booklet does not mean that you will develop it. Even if a side-effect develops, it is usually mild, temporary or treatable.

After reading this booklet, you might want to discuss the side-effects of HIV treatment with your HIV doctor or another member of your healthcare team.

Acknowledgements

Written by Michael Carter

First edition 2009

Thanks to the following for their assistance:

Paul Clift

Prof. Janet Darbyshire, Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, London

Dr Julie Fox, St Mary’s Hospital, London

Prof. Frances Gotch, Imperial College, London

Robert James

NAM is grateful to the funders of this booklet:

Department of Health

NHS Pan-London HIV Prevention Programme