Abstract :
Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) are at increased risk of developing severe haematological complications when they are in highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART). Although there is a proven adverse drug reactions with those drugs, but it can be manageable with some supplement therapy which had seen in this case. We report a patient infected with HIV-1 positive that she was on regular treatment with Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC) and Nevirapine (NVP) for the past 2 months developed with the complaints of vomiting, decreased appetite (1month) and rapid breathing. The patient diagnosed with HIV and was started with the regimen Zidovudine, Lamivudine, and Nevirapine.. During his next review after a month, the patient was subjected to laboratory investigations which showed abnormalities in hematological parameters. Hemoglobin-2.8 g/dl, RBC- 1.06×10 6/mm3 , HCT-8.1%, MCH-19pg, MCHC-22.7g/dl, RDW-37%. In view of adverse effects with Zidovudine, the regimen was switched to Abacavir, Lamivudine and Nevirapine. Before initiating the Zidovudine containing ART regimen, it is essential to monitor the hematological parameters of the HIV-1 infected patient. Health care providers may consider this fact to bring good outcomes in HIV infected patients.
Keyword :
Human Immunodeficiency virus, adverse drug reaction, Zidovudine, Anemia