SPECIAL FOCUS: COMPLICATIONS OF ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY Introduction

Recognized complications associated with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy now include a diverse group of abnormalities, which include bone marrow suppression, hepatic, renal and pancreatic inflammation, bodycomposition changes (lipodystrophy), skin and nail abnormalities diabetes hypersensitivity reactions, hyperlipidaemia, osteopenia, avascular bone necrosis, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and gout. Increasingly, decisions concerning the timing of the introduction of ARV are balanced between the clearly demonstrated benefit of therapy and the potential for numerous, sometimes life threatening, side effects. The safe use of antiretroviral therapy requires careful clinical and laboratory monitoring.