HIV infection, the infection of white blood cells by the human immunodeficiency virus, causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. The HIV virus enters white blood cells and forces the cells to generate several new copies of the virus, then causes the white blood cell to die, expelling viruses into the bloodstream where they can infect and kill additional cells. Ultimately, this decreases the number of white blood cells in the body, leaving the patient vulnerable to infection with a weakened immune system, which can be fatal.
A number of HIV medications are used daily in combination to prevent the virus from entering white blood cells or functioning within the cell, so as to slow the progression of HIV infection. These drugs have a number of severe effects on a number of organs within the body, leading to unpleasant side effects.
High Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Defects
HIV medication often increases the levels of lipids and cholesterol in the blood, specifically harmful LDL cholesterol. Over time, this leads to accumulation of fat within the blood vessels, which hardens and thickens blood vessel walls. A study performed at the University of California by Dr. R. Hsue found that HIV infection was a predictor of thickening of the carotid artery, a major blood vessel within the body. HIV medications, such as Tipranavir, also list high cholesterol as a side effect of the drug.
As technological advances improve the efficacy of anti-HIV drugs, patients with HIV live longer and experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease as a side effect of the medication.
Liver Damage
Liver damage, or hepatotoxicity, is a side effect of many anti-HIV medications. Since the liver is responsible for detoxifying the body, it is affected by the constant stream of drugs ingested to fight HIV. The effects of chronic use of anti-HIV medications lead to inflammation of the liver, necrosis and death of liver cells, and an accumulation of fat within the liver, which contributes to liver dysfunction. Hepatotoxity results in fatigue and weakness, and can cause jaundice as the disease advances.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, several classes of anti-HIV drugs cause liver damage. Since cocktails of drugs are taken to combat HIV, patients receiving anti-HIV treatment may be taking several drugs that work together to cause liver damage.
Kidney Disease
Anti-HIV medications commonly cause kidney disease. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood, so they are in constant contact with medication that can eventually damage the structure of the kidney. Kidney damage decreases the size of the kidneys, and causes the kidney to take on a hard, granular surface. Additionally, the damaged kidney has diminished function, and protein from the body leaks into the urine, a condition called proteinuria. Kidney disease can eventually be fatal.
According to AIDS.org, medications, such as indinavir, can cause kidney problems by causing drug crystals to develop within the kidneys. The site states that carefully chosen anti-HIV drug cocktails can minimize the risk of adverse effects on the kidney.
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