The severity of side effects and how long they last vary from person to person. Some people have few or no side effects from using anti-HIV drugs. Others develop side effects that are so severe that they cannot tolerate them and must stop taking the drug causing the effects. In many cases, HIV positive people develop side effects when they first start taking a new anti-HIV drug, but with time, the side effects lessen or even disappear. Side effects may be more severe in people with advanced HIV disease.
Side effects can also be more severe when drugs with similar side effects are used together .
Side effects can affect all of the body's systems, and range from mild discomfort to life threatening. When anti-HIV drugs are not taken as prescribed, the HIV virus can become resistant to the drugs. Resistant means that the drugs no longer work well against the virus. Preventing HIV resistance is an important reason to identify and treat side effects. Proper management of side effects can help a person stay on an anti-HIV drug regimen and gain its full benefits.