Author: Donna Brettler

Fuzeon (Enfuvirtide)

The most common adverse effects associated with antiretroviral regimens containing enfuvirtide are local injection site reactions with resultant pain, erythema, induration, nodules and cysts, pruritus, and ecchymosis. These reactions have been reported to occur in 98% of patients, but only a small minority needed to stop therapy. Other very common adverse effects include nausea, diarrhoea, weight loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

Emtricitabine (Truvada)

The most common adverse effects associated with antiretroviral regimens containing emtricitabine are headache, diarrhoea, and nausea; hyperpigmented skin discoloration is very common in children and common in adults. Other common adverse effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, abnormal dreams, asthenia, dizziness, insomnia, pain, allergic skin reactions, pruritus, rashes, and urticaria. Abnormal laboratory test results associated with emtricitabine-containing regimens include hyperbilirubinaemia, increases in serum lipase and pancreatic amylase, and raised liver enzymes. There have also been reports of neutropenia and anaemia.

Nystatin

An antifungal substance obtained by fermentation using certain strains of Streptomyces noursei. It contains mainly tetraenes, the principal component being nystatin A:. The potency is not less than 4400 units/mg and not less than 5000 units/mg if intended for oral use, calculated with reference to the dried substance. It is a yellow or slightly brownish hygroscopic powder.

Trimetrexate Glucuronate

Trimetrexate is reported to be incompatible with foscarnet. Trimetrexate should not be mixed with folinic acid or chloride ions, since precipitation occurs instantly.

Telithromycin

Diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and flatulence are among the most common adverse reactions after use of telithromycin. Severe, but usually reversible, hepatic dysfunction, including elevation of liver enzymes and hepatitis, with or without jaundice has been reported; however, there have been cases of fatal hepatotoxicity including fulminant hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, and hepatic failure.

Isoniazid

Isoniazid is a hydrazide derivative that is the mainstay of the primary treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It is used with other antituberculous drugs usually in regimens including rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Isoniazid is also used in high-risk subjects for the prophylaxis of tuberculosis. Isoniazid is given in the initial and continuation phases of short-course tuberculosis regimens.