My husband had a bad reaction to ARVS
Mar 08, 2009
ARVs should only be introduced after someone has undergone counselling on side-effects. What you mention is probably a condition known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, most likely caused by Nevirapine.
Face HIV with Dr Watiti
Dear doctor,
My husband was started on ARVs about three weeks ago but he got a bad skin reaction. His doctor put him on predinisolone tablets and a cream and advised him to continue taking the drugs. However, his skin has started to ooze a watery substance and he has sores in the mouth. I am on the same drugs (Combivir and Nevirapine) and fear I may also react though this has not happened in the six months I have been on them. What do we do?
Annette
Dear Annette,
ARVs should only be introduced after someone has undergone counselling on side-effects. What you mention is probably a condition known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, most likely caused by Nevirapine.
The drugs should be stopped immediately. Your husband may need to be treated in an isolation unit to avoid infections. He should continue using predinisolone to reduce the inflammation and replace lost fluids by drinking a lot or through a drip.
He should never be put on Nevirapine again; the next reaction could be fatal. Nevirapine is given in a low dose for two weeks and if no serious reaction occurs the full dose is given.
Continue taking your drugs because if the reaction has not occurred in six months it, most likely, will not.
Dear doctor,
My husband was started on ARVs about three weeks ago but he got a bad skin reaction. His doctor put him on predinisolone tablets and a cream and advised him to continue taking the drugs. However, his skin has started to ooze a watery substance and he has sores in the mouth. I am on the same drugs (Combivir and Nevirapine) and fear I may also react though this has not happened in the six months I have been on them. What do we do?
Annette
Dear Annette,
ARVs should only be introduced after someone has undergone counselling on side-effects. What you mention is probably a condition known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, most likely caused by Nevirapine.
The drugs should be stopped immediately. Your husband may need to be treated in an isolation unit to avoid infections. He should continue using predinisolone to reduce the inflammation and replace lost fluids by drinking a lot or through a drip.
He should never be put on Nevirapine again; the next reaction could be fatal. Nevirapine is given in a low dose for two weeks and if no serious reaction occurs the full dose is given.
Continue taking your drugs because if the reaction has not occurred in six months it, most likely, will not.