Updated Reviewed

Tables

Table 5. Serious and/or Common Adverse Reactions Associated with Systemically Administered Drugs Used to Treat or Prevent Opportunistic Infections

This table should not be considered a comprehensive list of all possible adverse reactions to each medication. For additional information, clinicians should consult other appropriate resources, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prescribing information. For persons of childbearing potential, please refer to Table 7. Summary of Pre-Clinical and Human Data on, and Indications for, Opportunistic Infection Drugs During Pregnancy for information regarding adverse effect potential of these medications during pregnancy.

Drug(s) Adverse Reactions
Acyclovir
  • Crystalluria and nephrotoxicity secondary to obstructive urolithiasis, particularly after rapid high-dose IV infusion. Risk is increased with dehydration or pre-existing renal impairment.
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Neurotoxicity with high doses (agitation, confusion, hallucination, seizure, coma), especially in patients with renal impairment and/or older patients
  • Thrombophlebitis at peripheral IV infusion site
  • Nausea, vomiting, and headache
Adefovir
  • Nephrotoxicity, especially in patients with underlying renal insufficiency, predisposing comorbidities, or taking concomitant nephrotoxic drugs
  • Nausea and asthenia
Albendazole
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Reversible alopecia
  • Nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness
  • Bone marrow suppression (i.e., pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, and leukopenia) (rare)
    • Patients with liver disease, including hepatic echinococcosis, appear to be at higher risk.
Amikacin
  • Nephrotoxicity
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity. 
  • Ototoxicity, both hearing loss and vestibular toxicity, are possible.
  • Neuromuscular blockade, especially with myasthenia or Parkinson’s disease and rapid infusion of large doses (rare)
Amphotericin B Deoxycholate and Lipid Formulations
  • Nephrotoxicity (lower incidence with liposomal formulations)
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia
  • Infusion-related reactions, including fever, chills, rigors, flank or back pain, and hypotension (lower incidence with liposomal formulations)
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Transaminase and bilirubin elevations
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Heart failure (rarely reported)
  • Anemia (rare)
Anidulafungin
  • Refer to the row on Echinocandins.
Artemether/Lumefantrine
  • QTc prolongation
  • Fever, chills, fatigue, arthralgia, and myalgia
  • Headache, dizziness, asthenia, and insomnia
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anorexia
  • Rash and pruritus
  • Delayed hemolytic anemia (rare)
Artesunate
  • Acute renal failure requiring dialysis
  • Hemoglobinuria and jaundice
  • Post-treatment hemolysis that may require transfusion
  • QTc prolongation and bradycardia
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis)
  • Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
Atovaquone
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Fever, headache, and insomnia
Atovaquone/Proguanil
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, headache, asthenia, dizziness, and rash
  • Reversible transaminase elevations
Azithromycin
  • Ototoxicity with prolonged use
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
  • QTc prolongation
Benznidazole
  • Photosensitivity and hypersensitivity reactions (including allergic dermatitis, TEN, and DRESS) 
  • Paresthesia and peripheral neuropathy, headache, and insomnia
  • Bone marrow suppression
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss
Bedaquiline
  • QTc prolongation
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, elevated amylase, arthralgia, headache, and skin rash
Bezlotoxumab
  • Exacerbation of congestive heart failure
  • Nausea, pyrexia, and headache
Brincidofovir
  • Elevations in hepatic transaminases and bilirubin
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity, male infertility
Caspofungin
  • Refer to the row on Echinocandins.
Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine
  • Auditory and visual disturbances, including blurry vision. Retinal toxicity may occur with long-term use.
  • QTc prolongation
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Bone marrow suppression and hemolysis
  • Neuropsychiatric changes, including extrapyramidal reactions, suicidal behavior, and convulsive seizures
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including TEN, SJS, and EM)
  • Severe hypoglycemia which may require adjustment of antidiabetic medications
  • Photosensitivity, pruritus, skin pigmentation, and exacerbation of psoriasis
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and hepatitis
  • Neuromyopathy (may occur with long-term use)(rare)
Cidofovir
  • Nephrotoxicity, proteinuria, azotemia, proximal tubular dysfunction (normoglycemic glycosuria, hypophosphatemia), and metabolic acidosis (including Fanconi’s syndrome)
    • Administer IV fluid hydration and oral probenecid to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Neutropenia and anemia
  • Ocular hypotony and anterior uveitis/iritis
  • Possibly carcinogenic and teratogenic; may cause hypospermia
  • Gastrointestinal intolerance and diarrhea
  • Asthenia, fever, headache, and alopecia
  • Side effects most likely related to co-administration with probenecid are rash, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and gout exacerbation.
Ciprofloxacin
  • Refer to the row on Fluoroquinolones.
Clarithromycin
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Ototoxicity, including reversible hearing loss and tinnitus, with high doses or prolonged use
  • QTc prolongation
  • Increased risk of cardiac complications or death in patients with heart disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dysgeusia
Clindamycin
  • Diarrhea, including C. difficileassociated diarrhea and colitis
  • Metallic taste (with IV infusion), thrombophlebitis, and arrhythmia with rapid IV infusion
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS and TEN)
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and abnormal liver function tests
Clotrimazole (Troche)
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and metallic taste
Cycloserine
  • Neuropsychiatric toxicities, including convulsions, psychosis, somnolence, confusion, inability to concentrate, hyperreflexia, headache, tremor, vertigo, paresis, dysarthria, depression (with suicidal ideation), peripheral neuropathy, and seizures (particularly with higher doses and in patients with history of chronic alcoholism)
    • Administer with pyridoxine.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS), allergic dermatitis, and rash
Dapsone
  • Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis
    • Do not use in patients with moderate to severe G6PD deficiency.
  • Sulfone syndrome (fever, exfoliative dermatitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatic necrosis, and hemolysis)
  • Phototoxicity and severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS and TEN)
  • Drug-induced lupus erythematosus
  • Hepatotoxicity and nephrotic syndrome
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Nausea and anorexia
Doxycycline
  • Pill-induced esophagitis/esophageal ulceration
  • Intracranial hypertension
  • Photosensitivity and skin hyperpigmentation
  • Thrombophlebitis (with IV infusion)
  • Nausea and vomiting
Echinocandins (Anidulafungin, Caspofungin, Micafungin)
  • Histamine-related infusion reactions (flushing, rash, pruritus, hypotension, and dyspnea) and thrombophlebitis
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reaction)
  • Abnormal liver enzymes and hepatotoxicity
  • Hypokalemia
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache
  • Hemolysis (micafungin) (rare)
Emtricitabine
  • Headache, nausea, and diarrhea
  • Skin hyperpigmentation and rash (palms and soles)
Entecavir
  • Headache, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea
Ethambutol
  • Optic neuritis (dose- and duration-dependent) and peripheral neuropathy
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, and hyperuricemia/gout flare
Ethionamide
  • Postural hypotension, hepatotoxicity, hypothyroidism (with or without goiter), and hypoglycemia
  • Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, visual disturbances, and depression
    • Administer with pyridoxine. 
  • Dose-dependent gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and metallic taste
  • Photosensitivity and severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS, TEN, and DRESS)
  • Gynecomastia, acne, hair loss, and impotence
Famciclovir
  • Nephrotoxicity (in patients with underlying renal disease)
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Fidaxomicin
  • Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Flucytosine
  • Concentration-dependent (>100 mcg/mL) bone marrow suppression (anemia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia)
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache
  • Rash, pruritus, and photosensitivity
Fluconazole
  • Hepatotoxicity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
  • QTc prolongation
  • Reversible alopecia (with doses ≥400 mg/day for >2 months)
Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
  • Restlessness, insomnia, nightmares, confusion, anxiety, paranoia, tremors, seizure, hallucinations, depression, suicidal thoughts, and attempted and completed suicide
  • Tendonitis and tendon rupture (associated with age over 60, concurrent corticosteroids, diabetes, and kidney, heart, and lung transplant)
  • Diarrhea including C. difficileassociated diarrhea and colitis
  • QTc prolongation
  • Photosensitivity/phototoxicity
  • Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia
  • Arthralgia and myalgia
  • Peripheral neuropathy and retinal detachment
  • Hyper- and hypoglycemia, including hypoglycemic coma
  • Nausea, diarrhea, bloating, headache, dizziness, and malaise
  • Vasculitis
  • Aortic dissection (rare)
  • Transaminase elevations and interstitial nephritis (rare)
  • Severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS and TEN) (rare)
Foscarnet
  • Nephrotoxicity and electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia)
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Paresthesia and seizure (associated with electrolyte imbalances)
  • Anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and headache
  • Genital ulceration
  • Thrombophlebitis
Ganciclovir
  • Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and pancytopenia
  • Carcinogenic and teratogenic potential and impaired fertility
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Neuropathy
  • Thrombophlebitis
Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir
  • Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation
  • Hepatic decompensation/failure in patients with advanced liver disease
  • Mild headache, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea
  • Altered glucose tolerance in diabetic patients
Interferon-Alfa and Peginterferon-Alfa
  • Neuropsychiatric effects (e.g., depression, suicidal ideation)
  • Neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia
  • Flu-like syndrome (e.g., fever, headache, fatigue, myalgia)
  • Hepatitis exacerbations, thyroid dysfunction, and alopecia
  • Nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, and weight loss
  • Development or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases and ocular effects (e.g., retinal hemorrhage, retinal artery or vein obstructions, and cotton wool spots)
  • Ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events, cardiovascular and pulmonary effects, hyper- and hypoglycemia, diabetes, severe infection, and colitis
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
Isavuconazonium (Isavuconazole)
  • Hepatotoxicity and cholelithiasis
  • Infusion-related reactions (hypotension, dyspnea, chills, dizziness, paresthesia, and hypoesthesia)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS)
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Shortening of QT interval
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, hypokalemia, dyspnea, and cough
Isoniazid
  • Hepatotoxicity and asymptomatic elevation in aminotransferase enzymes
  • Peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, seizures, and optic neuritis
    • Administer with pyridoxine
  • Nausea, diarrhea, and flushing
  • Arthralgia and lupus-like syndrome
  • Psychosis (rare)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including TEN and DRESS) (rare)
Itraconazole
  • Congestive heart failure, edema, and hypokalemia
  • QTc prolongation
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Hearing loss
  • Neuropathy
  • Gynecomastia
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Lamivudine
  • Nausea and vomiting
Levofloxacin
  • Refer to the row on Fluoroquinolones.
Linezolid
  • Anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia (especially with treatment lasting longer than 2–4 weeks and renal insufficiency)
  • Peripheral neuropathy and optic neuritis with long-term therapy
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache
  • Serotonin syndrome (rare)
  • Seizure (in patients with a history of seizure or with risk factors for seizure) (rare)
  • Lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia (rare)
Mefloquine
  • Depression, psychosis, anxiety, agitation, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and abnormal dreams
  • QTc prolongation and arrhythmias (extrasystole and sinus bradycardia)
  • Agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and epigastric pain
Micafungin
  • Refer to the row on Echinocandins.
Miconazole Buccal Tablets
  • Dysgeusia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, and headache
  • Local reactions (e.g., oral discomfort, burning, pain, tongue/mouth ulceration, gingival pruritus, swelling, and dry mouth)
  • Hypersensitivity reaction (may occur in patients with known hypersensitivity reaction to milk product concentrate)
Miltefosine
  • Nephrotoxicity and elevated transaminases and bilirubin
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity and impaired fertility, scrotal pain, and impaired ejaculation
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, headache, and motion sickness
  • Severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS)
Moxifloxacin
  • Refer to the row on Fluoroquinolones.
Nifurtimox
  • Patients with a history of brain injury, seizures, psychiatric disease, and serious behavioral alterations may experience worsening of their conditions.
  • Vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, pyrexia, rash, polyneuropathy, insomnia, dizziness, and vertigo
  • Carcinogenic and teratogenic potential and impaired fertility
  • Hypersensitivity reactions with hypotension, angioedema, dyspnea, pruritus, rash or other severe skin reactions
Nitazoxanide
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and chromaturia
Nystatin (Oral Preparations)
  • Unpleasant taste, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea
Paromomycin
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, anorexia, rash, and headache
  • Nephrotoxicity (rare)
    • Inflammatory bowel disease and renal insufficiency may increase risk.
Penicillin G All Penicillin G Preparations
  • Hypersensitivity (immediate or delayed reactions, including anaphylaxis), bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and drug fever
  • Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction when used for syphilis (occurs most frequently in persons with early syphilis, high non-treponemal antibody titers, and prior penicillin treatment)
Benzathine Penicillin G
  • IM injection-site reactions (pain and erythema), procaine neuropsychiatric reactions (with high dose), and neurovascular damage (due to inadvertent intravascular instead of IM injection)
Aqueous Crystalline Penicillin G (IV)
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Neurotoxicity at high doses—especially in patients with renal dysfunction—and hyperkalemia or hypernatremia at high doses (depending on formulation)
Pentamidine
  • Nephrotoxicity, infusion-related hypotension, and thrombophlebitis
  • QTc prolongation, arrhythmias (including Torsades de pointes), and electrolyte abnormalities
  • Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus
  • Hepatotoxicity and GI intolerance
  • Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
  • Embryotoxic
  • Rash
  • Pancreatitis (rare)
Aerosolized Therapy
  • Bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea, tachypnea, and metallic taste
Posaconazole
  • Hepatotoxicity, QTc prolongation, and hypokalemia
  • Pseudohyperaldosteronism (hypokalemia and hypertension)
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headache
IV Infusion
  • Thrombophlebitis, accumulation, and worsening renal function with IV formulation (especially in patients with eGFR <50 mL/min per package labeling, but observational studies with IV voriconazole suggest that this may not be a concern)
Primaquine
  • Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia (use with caution in patients with mild-moderate G6PD deficiency; do not use if severe G6PD deficiency), leukopenia, and neutropenia
  • QTc prolongation
  • Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
Pyrazinamide
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Polyarthralgia and myalgia
  • Hyperuricemia/gout flare
  • Thrombocytopenia and sideroblastic anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting, flushing, rash, and photosensitivity
Pyrimethamine
  • Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and megaloblastic anemia
    • Administer with leucovorin.
  • Anorexia, vomiting, and rash
Quinine
  • QTc prolongation and cardiac arrythmias 
  • Cinchonism (tinnitus, vertigo, and blurred vision)
  • Hemolytic anemia (especially in patients with G6PD deficiency), thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis
  • Vision abnormalities (e.g., photophobia, altered color perception, and blindness)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS and TEN)
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Rifabutin
  • Uveitis (concentration-dependent)
  • Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
  • Arthralgia
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Rash
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and anorexia
  • Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
Rifampin
  • Hepatotoxicity (cholestatic hepatitis)
  • Thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia
  • Renal failure
  • Hypersensitivity reactions with flu-like syndrome
  • Interstitial pulmonary disease
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, headache, confusion, and flushing, rash
  • Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
Rifapentine
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Anemia, neutropenia, and lymphopenia
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Arthralgia
  • Rash and pruritis
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia
  • Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir
  • Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation
  • Headache, fatigue, and anemia (associated with ribavirin co-administration)
  • Altered glucose tolerance in diabetic patients
Streptomycin
  • Neurotoxicity including irreversible ototoxicity (both hearing loss and vestibular toxicity)
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis (associated with rapid infusion of large aminoglycoside doses)
Sulfadiazine
  • Severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS, EM, and TEN) and photosensitivity
  • Anemia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia
  • Crystalluria (nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis) and nephrotoxicity
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Drug fever
  • Peripheral neuritis, tinnitus, vertigo, and insomnia
  • Nausea, vomiting, and headache
Tafenoquine
  • Decreased hemoglobin and methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia
    • Do not use in patients with G6PD deficiency; may cause harm to fetuses and breastfeeding infants who are G6PD deficient.
  • Psychiatric adverse reactions (in patients with history of psychiatric illness)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema and urticaria)
  • Visual disturbances
  • Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headache
Tecovirimat
  • Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting
  • IV formulation
    • Infusion site pain, swelling, erythema, and extravasation
    • Contains hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, which may accumulate in patients with renal impairment and has the potential to cause renal toxicity
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
  • Renal insufficiency and Fanconi syndrome (proximal renal tubulopathy with hypophosphatemia, hypouricemia, proteinuria, and normoglycemic glycosuria)
  • Decrease in bone mineral density
  • Nausea and vomiting
Tenofovir alafenamide
  • Headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea
  • Lower incidence of renal or bone toxicities than with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
  • Cutaneous reactions (in some cases SJS, EM, and TEN) and photosensitivity
  • Anemia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Dose-dependent increase in serum creatinine (without change in GFR), interstitial nephritis, crystalluria (in patients with inadequate hydration), and hyperkalemia (with high-dose TMP)
  • Hypoglycemia and hyponatremia
  • Drug fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Aseptic meningitis and pancreatitis (rare)
Valacyclovir
  • Neurotoxicity (e.g., agitation, confusion, hallucination, seizure, coma) with high doses, especially in patients with renal impairment
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache
Valganciclovir
  • Bone marrow suppression
  • Confusion, pyrexia, and tremor
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Carcinogenic and teratogenic potential and impaired fertility
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Voriconazole
  • Visual disturbances (e.g., abnormal vision, color vision change, and/or photophobia)
  • Optic neuritis (associated with >28 days treatment)
  • Headache, delirium, hallucination, peripheral neuropathy (rare), and encephalopathy (associated with trough >5.5 mcg/mL)
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • QTc prolongation
  • Photosensitivity
  • Voriconazole-associated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (with long-term use)
  • Fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, tachycardia, and peripheral edema
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Nail changes and alopecia (with long-term use)
  • SBECD accumulation with IV formulation and worsening renal function (especially in patients with eGFR <50 mL/min per package labeling, but observational studies suggest that this may not be a concern)
Key: DRESS = drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; EM = erythema multiforme; G6PD = glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; GFR = glomerular filtration rate; GI = gastrointestinal; IM = intramuscular; IV = intravenous; QTc = QT corrected for heart rate; SBECD = sulfobutylether cyclodextrin; SJS = Stevens-Johnson syndrome; TEN = toxic epidermal necrolysis; TMP = trimethoprim

Tables

Table 5. Serious and/or Common Adverse Reactions Associated with Systemically Administered Drugs Used to Treat or Prevent Opportunistic Infections

This table should not be considered a comprehensive list of all possible adverse reactions to each medication. For additional information, clinicians should consult other appropriate resources, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prescribing information. For persons of childbearing potential, please refer to Table 7. Summary of Pre-Clinical and Human Data on, and Indications for, Opportunistic Infection Drugs During Pregnancy for information regarding adverse effect potential of these medications during pregnancy.

Drug(s)Adverse Reactions
Acyclovir
  • Crystalluria and nephrotoxicity secondary to obstructive urolithiasis, particularly after rapid high-dose IV infusion. Risk is increased with dehydration or pre-existing renal impairment.
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Neurotoxicity with high doses (agitation, confusion, hallucination, seizure, coma), especially in patients with renal impairment and/or older patients
  • Thrombophlebitis at peripheral IV infusion site
  • Nausea, vomiting, and headache
Adefovir
  • Nephrotoxicity, especially in patients with underlying renal insufficiency, predisposing comorbidities, or taking concomitant nephrotoxic drugs
  • Nausea and asthenia
Albendazole
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Reversible alopecia
  • Nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness
  • Bone marrow suppression (i.e., pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, and leukopenia) (rare)
    • Patients with liver disease, including hepatic echinococcosis, appear to be at higher risk.
Amikacin
  • Nephrotoxicity
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity. 
  • Ototoxicity, both hearing loss and vestibular toxicity, are possible.
  • Neuromuscular blockade, especially with myasthenia or Parkinson’s disease and rapid infusion of large doses (rare)
Amphotericin B Deoxycholate and Lipid Formulations
  • Nephrotoxicity (lower incidence with liposomal formulations)
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia
  • Infusion-related reactions, including fever, chills, rigors, flank or back pain, and hypotension (lower incidence with liposomal formulations)
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Transaminase and bilirubin elevations
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Heart failure (rarely reported)
  • Anemia (rare)
Anidulafungin
  • Refer to the row on Echinocandins.
Artemether/Lumefantrine
  • QTc prolongation
  • Fever, chills, fatigue, arthralgia, and myalgia
  • Headache, dizziness, asthenia, and insomnia
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anorexia
  • Rash and pruritus
  • Delayed hemolytic anemia (rare)
Artesunate
  • Acute renal failure requiring dialysis
  • Hemoglobinuria and jaundice
  • Post-treatment hemolysis that may require transfusion
  • QTc prolongation and bradycardia
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis)
  • Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
Atovaquone
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Fever, headache, and insomnia
Atovaquone/Proguanil
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, headache, asthenia, dizziness, and rash
  • Reversible transaminase elevations
Azithromycin
  • Ototoxicity with prolonged use
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
  • QTc prolongation
Benznidazole
  • Photosensitivity and hypersensitivity reactions (including allergic dermatitis, TEN, and DRESS) 
  • Paresthesia and peripheral neuropathy, headache, and insomnia
  • Bone marrow suppression
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss
Bedaquiline
  • QTc prolongation
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, elevated amylase, arthralgia, headache, and skin rash
Bezlotoxumab
  • Exacerbation of congestive heart failure
  • Nausea, pyrexia, and headache
Brincidofovir
  • Elevations in hepatic transaminases and bilirubin
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity, male infertility
Caspofungin
  • Refer to the row on Echinocandins.
Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine
  • Auditory and visual disturbances, including blurry vision. Retinal toxicity may occur with long-term use.
  • QTc prolongation
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Bone marrow suppression and hemolysis
  • Neuropsychiatric changes, including extrapyramidal reactions, suicidal behavior, and convulsive seizures
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including TEN, SJS, and EM)
  • Severe hypoglycemia which may require adjustment of antidiabetic medications
  • Photosensitivity, pruritus, skin pigmentation, and exacerbation of psoriasis
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and hepatitis
  • Neuromyopathy (may occur with long-term use)(rare)
Cidofovir
  • Nephrotoxicity, proteinuria, azotemia, proximal tubular dysfunction (normoglycemic glycosuria, hypophosphatemia), and metabolic acidosis (including Fanconi’s syndrome)
    • Administer IV fluid hydration and oral probenecid to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Neutropenia and anemia
  • Ocular hypotony and anterior uveitis/iritis
  • Possibly carcinogenic and teratogenic; may cause hypospermia
  • Gastrointestinal intolerance and diarrhea
  • Asthenia, fever, headache, and alopecia
  • Side effects most likely related to co-administration with probenecid are rash, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and gout exacerbation.
Ciprofloxacin
  • Refer to the row on Fluoroquinolones.
Clarithromycin
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Ototoxicity, including reversible hearing loss and tinnitus, with high doses or prolonged use
  • QTc prolongation
  • Increased risk of cardiac complications or death in patients with heart disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dysgeusia
Clindamycin
  • Diarrhea, including C. difficile–associated diarrhea and colitis
  • Metallic taste (with IV infusion), thrombophlebitis, and arrhythmia with rapid IV infusion
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS and TEN)
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and abnormal liver function tests
Clotrimazole (Troche)
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and metallic taste
Cycloserine
  • Neuropsychiatric toxicities, including convulsions, psychosis, somnolence, confusion, inability to concentrate, hyperreflexia, headache, tremor, vertigo, paresis, dysarthria, depression (with suicidal ideation), peripheral neuropathy, and seizures (particularly with higher doses and in patients with history of chronic alcoholism)
    • Administer with pyridoxine.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS), allergic dermatitis, and rash
Dapsone
  • Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis
    • Do not use in patients with moderate to severe G6PD deficiency.
  • Sulfone syndrome (fever, exfoliative dermatitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatic necrosis, and hemolysis)
  • Phototoxicity and severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS and TEN)
  • Drug-induced lupus erythematosus
  • Hepatotoxicity and nephrotic syndrome
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Nausea and anorexia
Doxycycline
  • Pill-induced esophagitis/esophageal ulceration
  • Intracranial hypertension
  • Photosensitivity and skin hyperpigmentation
  • Thrombophlebitis (with IV infusion)
  • Nausea and vomiting
Echinocandins (Anidulafungin, Caspofungin, Micafungin)
  • Histamine-related infusion reactions (flushing, rash, pruritus, hypotension, and dyspnea) and thrombophlebitis
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reaction)
  • Abnormal liver enzymes and hepatotoxicity
  • Hypokalemia
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache
  • Hemolysis (micafungin) (rare)
Emtricitabine
  • Headache, nausea, and diarrhea
  • Skin hyperpigmentation and rash (palms and soles)
Entecavir
  • Headache, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea
Ethambutol
  • Optic neuritis (dose- and duration-dependent) and peripheral neuropathy
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, and hyperuricemia/gout flare
Ethionamide
  • Postural hypotension, hepatotoxicity, hypothyroidism (with or without goiter), and hypoglycemia
  • Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, visual disturbances, and depression
    • Administer with pyridoxine. 
  • Dose-dependent gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and metallic taste
  • Photosensitivity and severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS, TEN, and DRESS)
  • Gynecomastia, acne, hair loss, and impotence
Famciclovir
  • Nephrotoxicity (in patients with underlying renal disease)
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Fidaxomicin
  • Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Flucytosine
  • Concentration-dependent (>100 mcg/mL) bone marrow suppression (anemia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia)
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache
  • Rash, pruritus, and photosensitivity
Fluconazole
  • Hepatotoxicity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
  • QTc prolongation
  • Reversible alopecia (with doses ≥400 mg/day for >2 months)
Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
  • Restlessness, insomnia, nightmares, confusion, anxiety, paranoia, tremors, seizure, hallucinations, depression, suicidal thoughts, and attempted and completed suicide
  • Tendonitis and tendon rupture (associated with age over 60, concurrent corticosteroids, diabetes, and kidney, heart, and lung transplant)
  • Diarrhea including C. difficile–associated diarrhea and colitis
  • QTc prolongation
  • Photosensitivity/phototoxicity
  • Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia
  • Arthralgia and myalgia
  • Peripheral neuropathy and retinal detachment
  • Hyper- and hypoglycemia, including hypoglycemic coma
  • Nausea, diarrhea, bloating, headache, dizziness, and malaise
  • Vasculitis
  • Aortic dissection (rare)
  • Transaminase elevations and interstitial nephritis (rare)
  • Severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS and TEN) (rare)
Foscarnet
  • Nephrotoxicity and electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia)
    • Administer IV fluid hydration to reduce the risk for nephrotoxicity.
  • Paresthesia and seizure (associated with electrolyte imbalances)
  • Anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and headache
  • Genital ulceration
  • Thrombophlebitis
Ganciclovir
  • Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and pancytopenia
  • Carcinogenic and teratogenic potential and impaired fertility
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Neuropathy
  • Thrombophlebitis
Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir
  • Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation
  • Hepatic decompensation/failure in patients with advanced liver disease
  • Mild headache, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea
  • Altered glucose tolerance in diabetic patients
Interferon-Alfa and Peginterferon-Alfa
  • Neuropsychiatric effects (e.g., depression, suicidal ideation)
  • Neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia
  • Flu-like syndrome (e.g., fever, headache, fatigue, myalgia)
  • Hepatitis exacerbations, thyroid dysfunction, and alopecia
  • Nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, and weight loss
  • Development or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases and ocular effects (e.g., retinal hemorrhage, retinal artery or vein obstructions, and cotton wool spots)
  • Ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events, cardiovascular and pulmonary effects, hyper- and hypoglycemia, diabetes, severe infection, and colitis
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
Isavuconazonium (Isavuconazole)
  • Hepatotoxicity and cholelithiasis
  • Infusion-related reactions (hypotension, dyspnea, chills, dizziness, paresthesia, and hypoesthesia)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS)
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Shortening of QT interval
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, hypokalemia, dyspnea, and cough
Isoniazid
  • Hepatotoxicity and asymptomatic elevation in aminotransferase enzymes
  • Peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, seizures, and optic neuritis
    • Administer with pyridoxine
  • Nausea, diarrhea, and flushing
  • Arthralgia and lupus-like syndrome
  • Psychosis (rare)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including TEN and DRESS) (rare)
Itraconazole
  • Congestive heart failure, edema, and hypokalemia
  • QTc prolongation
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Hearing loss
  • Neuropathy
  • Gynecomastia
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Lamivudine
  • Nausea and vomiting
Levofloxacin
  • Refer to the row on Fluoroquinolones.
Linezolid
  • Anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia (especially with treatment lasting longer than 2–4 weeks and renal insufficiency)
  • Peripheral neuropathy and optic neuritis with long-term therapy
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache
  • Serotonin syndrome (rare)
  • Seizure (in patients with a history of seizure or with risk factors for seizure) (rare)
  • Lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia (rare)
Mefloquine
  • Depression, psychosis, anxiety, agitation, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and abnormal dreams
  • QTc prolongation and arrhythmias (extrasystole and sinus bradycardia)
  • Agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and epigastric pain
Micafungin
  • Refer to the row on Echinocandins.
Miconazole Buccal Tablets
  • Dysgeusia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, and headache
  • Local reactions (e.g., oral discomfort, burning, pain, tongue/mouth ulceration, gingival pruritus, swelling, and dry mouth)
  • Hypersensitivity reaction (may occur in patients with known hypersensitivity reaction to milk product concentrate)
Miltefosine
  • Nephrotoxicity and elevated transaminases and bilirubin
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity and impaired fertility, scrotal pain, and impaired ejaculation
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, headache, and motion sickness
  • Severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS)
Moxifloxacin
  • Refer to the row on Fluoroquinolones.
Nifurtimox
  • Patients with a history of brain injury, seizures, psychiatric disease, and serious behavioral alterations may experience worsening of their conditions.
  • Vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, pyrexia, rash, polyneuropathy, insomnia, dizziness, and vertigo
  • Carcinogenic and teratogenic potential and impaired fertility
  • Hypersensitivity reactions with hypotension, angioedema, dyspnea, pruritus, rash or other severe skin reactions
Nitazoxanide
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and chromaturia
Nystatin (Oral Preparations)
  • Unpleasant taste, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea
Paromomycin
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, anorexia, rash, and headache
  • Nephrotoxicity (rare)
    • Inflammatory bowel disease and renal insufficiency may increase risk.
Penicillin G

All Penicillin G Preparations 

  • Hypersensitivity (immediate or delayed reactions, including anaphylaxis), bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and drug fever
  • Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction when used for syphilis (occurs most frequently in persons with early syphilis, high non-treponemal antibody titers, and prior penicillin treatment)

Benzathine Penicillin G 

  • IM injection-site reactions (pain and erythema), procaine neuropsychiatric reactions (with high dose), and neurovascular damage (due to inadvertent intravascular instead of IM injection)

Aqueous Crystalline Penicillin G (IV)

  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Neurotoxicity at high doses—especially in patients with renal dysfunction—and hyperkalemia or hypernatremia at high doses (depending on formulation)
Pentamidine
  • Nephrotoxicity, infusion-related hypotension, and thrombophlebitis
  • QTc prolongation, arrhythmias (including Torsades de pointes), and electrolyte abnormalities
  • Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus
  • Hepatotoxicity and GI intolerance
  • Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
  • Embryotoxic
  • Rash
  • Pancreatitis (rare)

Aerosolized Therapy

  • Bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea, tachypnea, and metallic taste
Posaconazole
  • Hepatotoxicity, QTc prolongation, and hypokalemia
  • Pseudohyperaldosteronism (hypokalemia and hypertension)
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headache

IV Infusion

  • Thrombophlebitis, accumulation, and worsening renal function with IV formulation (especially in patients with eGFR <50 mL/min per package labeling, but observational studies with IV voriconazole suggest that this may not be a concern)
Primaquine
  • Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia (use with caution in patients with mild-moderate G6PD deficiency; do not use if severe G6PD deficiency), leukopenia, and neutropenia
  • QTc prolongation
  • Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
Pyrazinamide
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Polyarthralgia and myalgia
  • Hyperuricemia/gout flare
  • Thrombocytopenia and sideroblastic anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting, flushing, rash, and photosensitivity
Pyrimethamine
  • Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and megaloblastic anemia
    • Administer with leucovorin.
  • Anorexia, vomiting, and rash
Quinine
  • QTc prolongation and cardiac arrythmias 
  • Cinchonism (tinnitus, vertigo, and blurred vision)
  • Hemolytic anemia (especially in patients with G6PD deficiency), thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis
  • Vision abnormalities (e.g., photophobia, altered color perception, and blindness)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (including SJS and TEN)
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Rifabutin
  • Uveitis (concentration-dependent)
  • Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
  • Arthralgia
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Rash
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and anorexia
  • Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
Rifampin
  • Hepatotoxicity (cholestatic hepatitis)
  • Thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia
  • Renal failure
  • Hypersensitivity reactions with flu-like syndrome
  • Interstitial pulmonary disease
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, headache, confusion, and flushing, rash
  • Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
Rifapentine
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Anemia, neutropenia, and lymphopenia
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Arthralgia
  • Rash and pruritis
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia
  • Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir
  • Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation
  • Headache, fatigue, and anemia (associated with ribavirin co-administration)
  • Altered glucose tolerance in diabetic patients
Streptomycin
  • Neurotoxicity including irreversible ototoxicity (both hearing loss and vestibular toxicity)
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis (associated with rapid infusion of large aminoglycoside doses)
Sulfadiazine
  • Severe cutaneous reactions (including SJS, EM, and TEN) and photosensitivity
  • Anemia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia
  • Crystalluria (nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis) and nephrotoxicity
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Drug fever
  • Peripheral neuritis, tinnitus, vertigo, and insomnia
  • Nausea, vomiting, and headache
Tafenoquine
  • Decreased hemoglobin and methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia
    • Do not use in patients with G6PD deficiency; may cause harm to fetuses and breastfeeding infants who are G6PD deficient.
  • Psychiatric adverse reactions (in patients with history of psychiatric illness)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema and urticaria)
  • Visual disturbances
  • Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headache
Tecovirimat
  • Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting
  • IV formulation
    • Infusion site pain, swelling, erythema, and extravasation
    • Contains hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, which may accumulate in patients with renal impairment and has the potential to cause renal toxicity
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
  • Renal insufficiency and Fanconi syndrome (proximal renal tubulopathy with hypophosphatemia, hypouricemia, proteinuria, and normoglycemic glycosuria)
  • Decrease in bone mineral density
  • Nausea and vomiting
Tenofovir alafenamide
  • Headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea
  • Lower incidence of renal or bone toxicities than with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
  • Cutaneous reactions (in some cases SJS, EM, and TEN) and photosensitivity
  • Anemia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Dose-dependent increase in serum creatinine (without change in GFR), interstitial nephritis, crystalluria (in patients with inadequate hydration), and hyperkalemia (with high-dose TMP)
  • Hypoglycemia and hyponatremia
  • Drug fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Aseptic meningitis and pancreatitis (rare)
Valacyclovir
  • Neurotoxicity (e.g., agitation, confusion, hallucination, seizure, coma) with high doses, especially in patients with renal impairment
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache
Valganciclovir
  • Bone marrow suppression
  • Confusion, pyrexia, and tremor
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Carcinogenic and teratogenic potential and impaired fertility
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Voriconazole
  • Visual disturbances (e.g., abnormal vision, color vision change, and/or photophobia)
  • Optic neuritis (associated with >28 days treatment)
  • Headache, delirium, hallucination, peripheral neuropathy (rare), and encephalopathy (associated with trough >5.5 mcg/mL)
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • QTc prolongation
  • Photosensitivity
  • Voriconazole-associated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (with long-term use)
  • Fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, tachycardia, and peripheral edema
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Nail changes and alopecia (with long-term use)
  • SBECD accumulation with IV formulation and worsening renal function (especially in patients with eGFR <50 mL/min per package labeling, but observational studies suggest that this may not be a concern)
Key: DRESS = drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; EM = erythema multiforme; G6PD = glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; GFR = glomerular filtration rate; GI = gastrointestinal; IM = intramuscular; IV = intravenous; QTc = QT corrected for heart rate; SBECD = sulfobutylether cyclodextrin; SJS = Stevens-Johnson syndrome; TEN = toxic epidermal necrolysis; TMP = trimethoprim

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