The medicines that make up antiretroviral therapy (ART) cause change within the body and often these changes come with side effects. Different people may have different reactions to the various drug cocktails. Some people experience mild side effects while others may experience more severe side effects. For some, combinations are easily tolerated and no negative side effects are experienced.

Side effects tend to be most common among individuals recently after starting ART or following changes to a treatment regimen. Side effects may be manageable and may improve or disappear over time. They may also persist and impact a person’s quality of life. 

Common side effects may include but are not limited to:
Fatigue, headaches, anemia, digestive problems, aas and bloating, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea.

It is always important to discuss side effects with your doctor. If side effects last longer than a few days or seem to be getting worse, a doctor should be contacted immediately rather than waiting until your next visit.