Title: 
Headings: A Practical Guide to HIV Drug Side Effects
A Practical Guide to HIV Drug Side Effects
11. Nausea, Vomiting and Appetite Loss
Contents [ hide]
Figuring out the cause
Infections
Antiretroviral drugs, other medications and supplements
Liver problems, pancreatitis, testosterone deficiency, depression
Changing your medications or your medication schedule
Changing your eating habits
Countering nutrient deficiencies
Anti-nausea and appetite-stimulating drugs
Other anti-nausea agents
Acupuncture and acupressure

Content: Antiretroviral drugs, other medications and supplements
Nausea is a common side effect of antiretroviral drugs, pain medications, cancer chemotherapies, radiation and many other therapies. Virtually all the currently available antiretroviral drugs can cause nausea, though some (for example, protease inhibitors) are more likely to cause this problem than others. It is also one of the symptoms of the rare abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. See the section in Less Common Side Effects for more information. Drugs used to treat many infections can cause nausea. One nausea-causing drug that people with low CD4 counts can be taking is the antibiotic Bactrim/Septra, used to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia and some other germs. Most people tolerate this drug well, but some people develop significant nausea and may need to switch to a different preventative drug. Pain medications cause nausea in a large percentage of people. If these drugs are possibly contributing to your nausea or appetite loss, discuss possible alternatives with your doctor. Cancer chemotherapies and radiation can also cause very severe nausea and it is very important to address this in order to continue to treat the cancer.