BARRIER 2 OF 3 · Side effects

Worried About HIV Treatment Side Effects or Interactions? You Have Options

Today’s HIV Treatment Is Not What You May Imagine

Concern about possible side effects is one of the most common reasons people delay starting treatment, but expectations don’t always match what actually happens. Here’s what members who worried about side effects had to say after starting treatment.

Key Statistics

of myHIVteam members surveyed reported weight changes since their HIV diagnosis.

of myHIVteam members reported that their doctor didn’t discuss potential treatment side effects with them.

of members were not told by their doctor that HIV medication could cause weight gain — a significant communication gap.

*All statistics sourced from myHIVteam member survey data published in “How To Talk to Your Doctor About Weight Gain and HIV,” myHIVteam.com. Survey of 129 myHIVteam members in 2020.

Start Here

Worried About HIV Treatment Side Effects? Start Here

Today’s medications are generally much easier to take and tolerate than older treatments.

⚖️ Medically reviewed by Kelsey Stalvey, Pharm.D.

Stories From Our Members

Always be involved in all your treatment plans. If, after taking some meds for a month or so, they’re making you sick, let your provider know ASAP. If I feel something isn’t working for me, I tell my doctor, and we look for other meds to help me stay undetectable.”

— A myHIVteam member

It’s crucial to talk with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements while taking ART medications. Some supplements can potentially interact with antiretroviral drugs and affect their effectiveness. Even natural or herbal supplements that seem harmless can interfere with HIV medications.”

— A myHIVteam member

Please keep your doctor or dietitian aware of digestive issues. My mistake was going with the flow of med changes and not mentioning my digestive problems. No complaint is too small, especially when it comes to quality of life.”

— A myHIVteam member