Antiretroviral Medication Allergy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An antiretroviral (ARV) medication allergy is a harmful, unexpected reaction to ARV medicine. ARV medicine is used to treat HIV and AIDS. An allergic reaction may happen when you start a new ARV medicine or after you take the medicine for a few weeks. You can have a reaction within an hour, or the reaction can happen days or weeks later.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

A very serious reaction, such as anaphylaxis, may be life-threatening. The medicines that you are given to treat the allergy may have side effects. In rare cases, treatment will not stop the allergic reaction. You may have permanent damage, such as scars on your skin or damage to your internal organs. You may have to stop taking the ARV medicine and not take it again. If you have HIV or AIDS, an ARV medicine allergy may affect your treatment. Ask your caregiver for more information about the risks of an ARV medicine allergy.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Oxygen:

You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Medicines:

• Steroids: This medicine may be given to decrease inflammation.
  
  
• Antihistamines: This medicine decreases itching and swelling. Antihistamines may be given as a shot, a pill, or a lotion.
  
  
• Epinephrine: This drug increases your blood pressure and reduces your allergy reaction. Epinephrine may also relax some of your muscles so you can breathe better.

Tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  

Desensitization:

Desensitization is a controlled way to get your body used to the medicine. Your caregiver will start by giving you very small doses of ARV medicine over a few hours. Your caregiver will treat any allergic reaction that you have. The dose is increased a little at a time until the full dose is reached and the medicine stops causing an allergic reaction. Ask your caregiver for more information about desensitization.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Antiretroviral Medication Allergy (Inpatient Care)