[Undesirable effect of antiretroviral drugs in patients infected with HIV at Cotonou Benin].

Evaluate the tolerance of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on PLWHA treated in Cotonou to improve the quality of their follow up. Retrospective study among PLWHA aged > or = 15 years, treated by HAART during the period February 2002 - January 2004 and who respond to one or more consultation of follow up. Adverse effects (AE) revealed by patients or noticed by the physician are analyzed. The study on 130 PLWHA, revealed 62,3% receiving HAART with nonnucleoside reverse transcription inhibitor and 37,7% with protease inhibitor. 75,4% presented one or more AE. Those AE were severe for 4,6% (6 patients). The frequency of AE was significantly different by drugs used. The most common events were neurosensorial (64,6%), digestive (34,6%) and dermatologic (14,6%). 2/3 of PLWHA presented AE within the first fifteen days of treatment. The patients were compliant. Only one patient stopped voluntary the treatment. The frequency and the type of AE occurred predispose patients to the non observance. Their follow up must therefore include education and surveillance guided by the profile of AE identified.