Starting a new medication for the first time can be scary, especially
if you've heard other people talk about its side effects. When it comes
to Sustiva and its potential to cause side effects – especially CNS-related
problems – there are a few tips to keep in mind before starting:
1) Always remember: side effects
do not always occur and vary from person to person. Your experience
with Sustiva may be very different from that of another person's. At
the same time, it's important to be prepared for any side effects that
you may experience.
2) Be aware of other drugs or
over-the-counter products that might increase the amount of Sustiva
in your blood and, thus, increase the chance of experiencing side effects.
For example, the protease inhibitor Norvir can increase Sustiva levels
in the blood by 20%. If your doctor has recommended that you take Sustiva
and Norvir together, talk to him or her about starting either drug a
few days-or even a week-apart. Also, taking Sustiva with food can also
increase its levels in your blood, and make potential side effects seem
worse.
3) Don't be afraid to call your
health-care provider if a particular side effect seems severe or has
you worried.
4) Establish a reliable support
network. If you don't feel well upon starting Sustiva, it might be helpful
to have friends or family members you can rely on. They can help you
if the going gets rough, and attend to things that you might not feel
like doing (i.e., chores that need doing or errands than need running).
5) Avoid alcohol or drugs. Alcohol
and recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and speed, can worsen
some of the CNS side effects of Sustiva.
6) Start Sustiva on a weekend and/or
take a few days off from work. Sustiva can cause CNS side effects after
the first dose has been taken and it may take you a few days to get
used to any mental changes that occur. Not having to worry about work
during this time can be helpful.
7) Take Sustiva before bedtime.
Many of Sustiva's CNS side effects are strongest within a few hours
after taking the drug. Thus, it's best to take the drug before going
to bed and to "sleep off" the feelings of dizziness, impaired concentration,
etc. While some people report that Sustiva actually keeps them awake,
there are some potential ways to manage this insomnia (see below).
8) Avoid driving or using large
machinery, especially if Sustiva causes sensations of dizziness or impaired
concentration or if you haven't been sleeping well.
9) Switching from Sustiva to another
anti-HIV drug is always an option. While most people are able to tolerate
the side effects of Sustiva, severe side effects that last a long time
can have a negative effect on a person's quality of life. Note: it
is dangerous to simply stop taking Sustiva or reduce the dose without
first talking with your health-care provider. This can lead to drug
resistance and end up doing more harm than good.
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