Toxicity of post-exposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus

This chapter reviews the known toxicity profile of anti-retroviral drugs based on information from such drug use in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients, and then reviews the limited toxicity data reported by several small studies of health care workers who have taken HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Suggestions for an approach to monitoring and managing PEP toxicity are then discussed. Managing HIV exposures and HIV PEP toxicity requires clinical training and experience. Because experience with the side-effects of the available anti-retroviral agents is limited and reports of toxicity continue to emerge, it is important that health care providers who manage HIV exposures stay up to date with the latest information on HIV PEP and make use of expert consultation as needed.