This is a dull ache or tingling in your hands, arms, feet or legs primarily caused by nucleodside analogues. However, it can also be caused by HIV itself. Hydroxyurea is used in combination with d4T or ddI to boost their ability to suppress HIV, this may mean that treatment with hydroxyurea also increases the risk of peripheral neuropathy. As both ddI and ddC are particularly prone to induce peripheral neuropathy, they should not be combined in the same combination. Peripheral neuropathy should be reported to your doctor.
Treatment is complicated, but painkillers, anti-depressants, acupuncture and massage can be helpful.
Sever or persistent peripheral neuropathy is a reason for changing your anti-HIV medication. Most rashes occur within the first three weeks of treatment. Symptoms disappeared within a few days of stopping the medication, however, any patient who has discontinued abacavir because of such a reaction should not start taking the drug again as this could be life threatening. Although this hypersensitivity reaction is extremely serious, it occurs in relatively few patients. Dealing with side effects.