Adverse drug reactions among AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral treatment at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, Uganda

Background: In Uganda, a well-established system for monitoring disease progression and treatment outcomes is in place, especially through the national HIV control program. Despite the presence of a well established monitoring system, monitoring of ADRs remains a significant problem. Available data on adverse drug reactions associated with antiretroviral use in the health care setting is limited, hence indicating the need for ART safety surveillance in healthcare settings. Method: Data was collected from 250 HIV patients receiving ART at KIU-TH. Occurrences of ADRs, gender, age, ART regimen, response to ADR and treatment duration were obtained from questionnaires given to the patient. Data on how the clinic staff manages ADRs was collected through an interview. Results: Out of 250 patients, 60.8% experienced at least one ADR, 41.2 % were male. 65.2% were on TDF/3TC/EFZ. 2% reported skipping medication over periods of time due to occurrence of an ADR. 24.8 % of patients experiencing ADR were on treatment for more than two years. Conclusion: Age, the duration that the patient had been on treatment and the ART regimen used were associated with occurrence of ADRs. ADRs were more likely to occur after two years of treatment, hence long term monitoring of ADRs in patients is recommended. Further research on the occurrence of ADRs in AIDS patients in other facilities in the countries and even in the African region is also recommended in order to come up with solutions that can help address the issue. Such adverse effects of AIDS drugs have in some cases been shown to have negative treatment outcomes in patients. Keywords: adverse drug reactions, AIDS patients, Uganda, treatment regimens