Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

Some antiretroviral drugs may affect glucose metabolism and cause insulinresistance. Insulin resistance is associated with increased risk of diabetes(Gelato 2003). For diabetes, specific carbohydrate controlled diet, reduced intake ofrefined sugar and saturated fat, exercise, and antidiabetic medications arerecommended.Progressive lactic acidosis is a complication of NRTI therapy (Carr 2003). The signs ofsevere lactic acidemia include fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, dyspnea, liverdysfunction, and cardiac dysrhythmias. In case of any of these symptoms, stoppingthe NRTI may help.Table 2 lists the purposes, recommended consumption, and potential side effectssome of the better-known and more widely taken medications in resource-limitedsettings. This list is not comprehensive, and health workers and programs areencouraged to add or update the list as medications become available or their use isdiscontinued.Table 2 Modern medications and recommended food intakes and side effectsMedicationPurposeRecommended Tobe takenAbacavir (ABC) Antiretroviral Can be takenwithout regard tofood.ChloroquineTreatment ofmalariaWith foodDidanosine (ddl) Antiretroviral With water only,1hour before or 2hours after eating.Avoid alcohol. Donot take withjuice. Do not takewith antacidcontainingaluminum ormagnesiumPotential side effectsNausea, vomiting, fever,allergic reaction, anorexia,abdominal pain, diarrhea,anemia, rash, hypotension,pancreatitis, dyspnea,weakness and insomnia,cough, and headacheStomach pain, loss ofappetite, nausea, vomitingNot recommended for womenbreastfeedingAnorexia, diarrhea, nausea,vomiting, pain, headache,weakness, insomnia, rash, drymouth, lost of taste,constipation, stomatitis,anemia, fever, dizziness, andpancreatitis.253