Side Effects of HIV Medicines

Hepatotoxicity is the medical term for damage to the liver caused by a medicine, chemical, or herbal or dietary supplement. Hepatotoxicity can be a side effect of some HIV medicines. 

Use the ClinicalInfo Drug Database to find information about a specific HIV medicine, including information about its potential side effects.

The following factors may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity due to HIV medicines:

• Also having hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
• Taking other medicines that can cause liver damage
• Alcohol use
• Pre-existing liver damage

 

Symptoms of hepatotoxicity include the following:

• Rash
• Stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dark-colored urine
• Light-colored bowel movements
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

People taking HIV medicines that may cause hepatotoxicity should know about these symptoms. In some cases, hepatotoxicity can be life-threatening. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Before starting HIV medicines, people with HIV have several lab tests done. These include blood tests to check for liver damage and for HBV and HCV infection. If the test results and other information shows that the person is at risk for developing hepatotoxicity, they can avoid HIV medicines that may cause hepatotoxicity.

Once a person starts taking HIV medicines, they are monitored for signs of hepatotoxicity. HIV medicines that are causing serious, life-threatening hepatotoxicity must be stopped immediately. However, a person should never stop taking an HIV medicine unless their health care provider tells them to.

Choosing an HIV medicine to replace one that is causing hepatotoxicity will depend on a person’s individual needs. Fortunately, there are many HIV medicines available to include in an HIV regimen.

If you are taking or plan to take HIV medicines, talk to your health care provider about the risk of hepatotoxicity.

• From the Department of Health and Human Services: Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV: Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Agents and Laboratory Testing 
• From MedlinePlus: Drug-Induced Liver Injury
• From the National Institutes of Health: LiverTox: Glossary
• From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Primary Care of Veterans with HIV