Complications and Side Effects
Antiretroviral drugs can in rare cases cause serious medical complications, including metabolic changes such as abnormal fat distribution, abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism, and bone loss. Monitoring for these complications and side effects is the responsibility of patients and their healthcare providers.
NIAID supports research aimed at understanding antiretroviral drug-related complications and other side effects, as well as strategies to reduce patient exposure to potentially toxic drug regimens, such as different drug dosing schedules or combinations, and comparing early versus delayed treatment. NIAID is striving to develop simpler, less toxic, and more effective antiretroviral drug regimens.