Tolerability and side-effects of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection

Occupational exposure to HIV and the use of post-exposure prophylaxis

“…Regimes containing indinavir have been shown to be poorly tolerated with high rates of discontinuation [33] and are now rarely used. A study comparing dual nucleoside analogue therapy to triple therapy regimes containing nelfinavir did not find a significant difference in the number of people experiencing side-effects overall, although those on nelfinavir did have more gastrointestinal manifestations [34].…”

Introducing safety syringes into a UK dental school – a controlled study

“…6 If following Department of Health recommendations on post exposure prophylaxis they take antiretroviral therapy they are also highly likely to suffer unpleasant toxic side effects which affects compliance. 7 Although protection against hepatitis B is available there is, as yet, no vaccine against hepatitis C, whose prevalence in the UK in 1997 was estimated at 2.3 per 1000. 8 It is, therefore, imperative for all staff to ensure that the risk of acquiring a needle stick injury is reduced to a minimum.…”

Physical and Psychological Health Following Military Sexual Assault: Recommendations for Care, Research, and Policy

“…For example, a victim who is assaulted by a fellow servicemember while deployed overseas is at low risk for HIV, given federal law prohibiting the deployment of HIV-positive servicemembers overseas or on ships (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987 [P. L. 99-661, Section 705(c)]). The prophylactic regimen to prevent HIV seroconversion after an exposure has a significant side-effect profile that may interfere with work and social functioning for the one-month period required to complete the regimen (Parkin et al, 2000). Side effects include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, influenza-like illness, and hives and are experienced by 52-77 percent of people who take the regimen (Lai et al, 1999;Loutfy et al, 2008;Parkin et al, 2000).…”

“…The prophylactic regimen to prevent HIV seroconversion after an exposure has a significant side-effect profile that may interfere with work and social functioning for the one-month period required to complete the regimen (Parkin et al, 2000). Side effects include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, influenza-like illness, and hives and are experienced by 52-77 percent of people who take the regimen (Lai et al, 1999;Loutfy et al, 2008;Parkin et al, 2000). These considerable side effects may explain the fact that less than 33 percent of sexual assault victims who receive a prescription for HIV prophylaxis complete the 28-day regimen (Loutfy et al, 2008;Weibe et al, 2000).…”