Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0027497 (nausea)
 23,468 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Zidovudine (3'-azido-3'deoxythymidine, AZT, Retrovir) is the first antiretroviral drug to demonstrate clinical efficacy for symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. In a large, placebo-controlled trial, nausea and hematologic toxicity, but not fever, occurred more frequently in zidovudine- than in placebo-treated patients. However, in an open label study, fever severe enough to halt zidovudine administration occurred in 10% of 70 acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients receiving the drug. We now describe three AIDS patients with severe zidovudine-induced fever in whom other causes of fever were excluded. Zidovudine-induced fever was confirmed in each case by drug rechallenge. Using an enzyme immunoassay, we detected IgM antibodies directed against a zidovudine-serum protein conformational determinant in one of these three patients. Neither IgG nor IgM anti-zidovudine antibodies were present in sera from the other two patients with zidovudine fever, from four AIDS patients who discontinued zidovudine for reasons other than fever, or from five AIDS patients who never received zidovudine. Zidovudine may cause fever as a severe adverse effect in patients with AIDS. Either type III or type IV hypersensitivity may mediate this reaction.
 ...
PMID:Zidovudine-induced fever. 266 40

It is critical to take HIV medications, particularly protease inhibitors, exactly as prescribed to reduce the risks of developing resistance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new drug, Combivir, a combination of 3TC (lamivudine) and AZT in one tablet. Combivir works by interfering with the HIV life cycle to prevent it from replicating, and is taken twice a day with or without food. Patients with low body mass, hepatitis, or liver or kidney disease should not take Combivir. Blood counts need to be monitored regularly when taking this drug. Potential side effects include headache, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, nasal congestion, or flu-like symptoms. A phone number is provided for more information on Combivir.
 ...
PMID:What you need to know about Combivir. 1136 67

Information on dosage, cost, side effects, and interactions is provided for each of the seven nucleoside analog drugs available currently: Retrovir (AZT, ZDV), Videx (ddI), Hivid (ddC), Zerit (d4T), Epivir (3TC), Combivir (AZT/3TC), and Ziagen (abacavir sulfate). Most nucleoside analogs (with the exception of ddI) do not have food restrictions, but do have potential side effects such as nausea and fatigue. An activist, a doctor, and the drug's manufacturer offer comments. Contact information is provided.
 ...
PMID:What they say about nucleoside drugs. 1136 20

Treatment for people with HIV attempts to prevent HIV from reproducing, boost the immune system, or cure opportunistic infections. The chemical structure of anti-viral drugs is similar to that of DNA. Since HIV bonds with the drugs rather than DNA, it cannot replicate itself. The most widely used anti-viral drug is zidovudine or AZT (brand name, Retrovir), but it does not help HIV infected persons who are still healthy. A recent trial shows that a combination of anti-viral drugs is more likely to delay opportunistic infections and death than AZT alone. When pregnant women use AZT before and during delivery and when their newborns receive AZT therapy, the likelihood of HIV transmission to the newborn is reduced by about 66%. Follow-up studies are needed, however, since AZT is toxic. Disadvantages of anti-viral drugs include resistance, toxicity, side effects (e.g., nausea and anemia), which are particularly severe at high doses, and accessibility of regular and expensive monitoring tests. Protease inhibitors are in the early stages of development. They deactivate the HIV enzyme which allows HIV to attach to white blood cells. Imuthiol (DTC) aims to increase the number of white blood cells so the body can fight HIV longer, but it appears that it has no benefit and may even facilitate development of opportunistic infections. Interleuken 2 may increase the number of CD4 cells. Alternative approaches to strengthening the immune system are lifestyle changes, improved diet, reduced stress, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, herbal medicines, and relaxation exercises. HIV/AIDS therapies are very expensive and often induce side effects. Many HIV positive people in developed countries are opting out of these treatments, even though they have access to them. Prevention and treatment of opportunistic infection remain the best strategies for most HIV-infected persons.
 ...
PMID:Slow progress against HIV. 1229 May 61