According to TheBody.com, AIDS wasting is the loss of more than 10% of weight and lean body mass plus more than 30 days of diarrhea, fever or weakness. Wasting syndrome is a sign that HIV infection has progressed into AIDS. AIDS wasting syndrome is caused by several factors. Medications for AIDS wasting syndrome include drugs to increase appetite and drugs to treat opportunistic infections interfering with absorption of food and drugs.
Appetite Stimulants
AIDS.org states that appetite stimulants such as Megace and Marinol may be used to stimulate appetite in patients experiencing nausea and vomiting. According to Drugs.com, Megace is a manmade chemical similar to progesterone, a female hormone. Common side effects of Megace include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness, hot flashes and menstrual periods. Drugs.com states that Marinol is a manmade form of marijuana and is used to treat loss of appetite in people with AIDS. Common side effects of Marinol include feeling high, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, mood disorders, trouble concentrating and lack of coordination.
Antibiotics and Antifungals
According to AIDS.org, opportunistic intestinal infections interfere with digestion and absorption of nutrients and contribute to wasting syndrome in AIDS patients. Antibiotics and antifungal agents are used to treat opportunistic infections in the mouth, esophagus and in the intestines.
Hormones
According to AIDS.org, Serostim, a human growth hormone, is used to increase weight and lean body mass in AIDS patients suffering from wasting syndrome. Drugs.com states that common side effects of Serostim include headache, nausea, vomiting, breast enlargement, muscle pain, joint pain, nerve tingling and numbness. An artificial form of the male hormone testosterone may also be used to help build muscle mass. Anabolic steroids such as oxandrolone and nandrolone may also be used to help build muscle mass. Common side effects of anabolic steroids include baldness, breast growth, ankle swelling, insomnia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
