What is a common side effect of protease inhibitors?

Lipodystrophy is indeed a well-documented common side effect of protease inhibitors, which are a class of antiviral medications used primarily in the treatment of HIV. This condition is characterized by abnormal fat distribution in the body, often leading to significant changes such as increased fat accumulation in certain areas (like the abdomen and back of the neck) and loss of fat in others (like the face and limbs).

Protease inhibitors can impact lipid metabolism, contributing to these changes in fat distribution. While hyperglycemia, hepatotoxicity, and neurotoxicity can occur with various medications or conditions, they are not as closely associated with protease inhibitors as lipodystrophy is. Patients on these medications should be monitored for changes in body composition and metabolic parameters, making the understanding of lipodystrophy particularly important in the management of patients receiving protease inhibitors.