Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon – president of the AIDS Society of the Philippines and current Chief of Clinics of Sta. Ana Hospital – answers all your HIV-related inquiries. For all your questions, email josescon1@gmail.com or info@outragemag.com.
Dear Doc,
When I was still having my ARV trial period, I was given Zidovudine, and my CBC plummeted. So it was changed. However, when the DOH failed to acquire supplies, I was again given Zidovudine, and my CBC plummeted again. What do I do?
Mr. Zido-conscious
Zidovudine [AZT; or Retrovir (brand name)] is the first US government-approved treatment for HIV that was marketed. It is the hallmark ARV drug treatment, the first breakthrough in AIDS therapy that significantly reduces the replication (multiplication) of the virus and has caused dramatic clinical and immunological improvements. However, AZT-resistance developed over time, and so currently it is in combination therapy – with Combivir and Trizivir.
AZT is known for its side effects –e.g. “anemia” (defined as the decrease in the red blood cell count or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood). Clinically, this is manifested by pale colored skin, paleness of subconjunctiva. By symptoms, this is experienced by a patient with feeling of tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness, inability to exercise, confusion, and feeling of “passing out”.
Anemia is manageable and reversible. The doctors usually reinforce dietary supplementation with multivitamins, and – the last resort – blood transfusions, depending on the patient’s signs or symptoms.
The doctors who are still using AZT are guided by supportive laboratory tests requested, and there are indicators whether AZT has to be continued or stopped. In the end, the drug response of a patient is the crucial consideration on whether doctors need to shift him/her from AZT or not.
So what’s very important is to achieve good HIV care – meaning, for the PLHIV to have good ARV compliance (follow drug instructions in terms of dose and timing of drug intake, and submit to laboratory test requested), and good medical follow up when the PLHIV must relate whatever sign or symptom he/she feels.
It is a NO-NO To stop ARV on his/her own, or shift to another doctor, both without the doctor’s prescriptions or advise, as these pose more complications in ARV management/treatment. Seek doctor’s advice and follow!
Know that no doctor would want his/her patient to fail with his/her treatment, and that doctors want their patients to be well soon.
