Adverse drug reactions of antiretroviral therapy in patients receiving methadone substitution treatment

• Published in: HIV & AIDS review Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 14 - 17
• Main Authors: Łój, Piotr, Gąsiorowski, Jacek, Łapiński, Łukasz, Zubkiewicz-Zarębska, Anna, Knysz, Brygida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o 2014
• Subjects: Adverse drug reactions; Antiretroviral therapy; Infectious Disease; Methadone; Antiretroviral therapy; Adverse drug reactions; Methadone
• ISSN: 1730-1270; 1732-2707
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hivar.2014.01.001

Abstract Aim of the study The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy in patients receiving concomitant therapy with methadone substitution. Background With the advances in research on anti-retroviral drugs, we now have regiments with different mechanisms of action that can be combined to give an effective therapy that lengthens the life of HIV-infected people into old age. It should be emphasized, however, that anti-retroviral drugs, as other pharmacologically active substances, are characterized by adverse effects (AEs), significantly changing the quality of life for patients, as well as predisposing to the development of comorbidities. Their appearance can be triggered by administration of other therapy at the same time such as methadone in heroin addicts. Materials and methods The survey was conducted among 60 people, 21 of respondents were participants of methadone program. Results Based on the survey we found that among patients receiving methadone, compared to patients treated only with antiretroviral drugs, more often the following symptoms occurred: loss of appetite, constipation, cough, rhinitis, insomnia, libido and decreased hemoglobin level. Conclusion A study found that co-administration of methadone may increase the incidence of adverse effects, which in turn has a significant impact on patient quality of life. This issue has not been fully explained and requires further studies in a larger group of patients.