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Lexiva Side Effects
Diarrhea, nausea, and high triglycerides are among the most common side effects of Lexiva. While side effects are typically minor, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience unusual bleeding, high blood sugar, or an allergic reaction while taking Lexiva. Side effects may be caused by Lexiva or other HIV medications (since Lexiva is always taken with other HIV drugs).
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Lexiva® (fosamprenavir calcium); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Lexiva. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Lexiva side effects with you.)
Clinical studies have not evaluated Lexiva alone for the treatment of HIV, since it is meant to be used along with other HIV medications. In fact, the available information on side effects involves studies that used Lexiva plus two or three other HIV medications. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether these side effects are due to Lexiva or the other HIV medications.
Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Lexiva in adults (plus two or three other HIV medications) included:
- Diarrhea -- in up to 13 percent of people
- High triglycerides -- up to 11 percent
- Nausea -- up to 7 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 6 percent
- Fatigue -- up to 4 percent
- Headaches -- up to 4 percent
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 2 percent.
In children, vomiting was a common Lexiva side effect, occurring in up to 60 percent of children.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD