What is a possible adverse effect of NRTI therapy related to muscle?

NRTI therapy, which stands for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, is commonly used in the treatment of HIV and is known to be associated with various side effects. One potential adverse effect of this type of therapy is myopathy, which refers to muscle disease causing weakness and sometimes pain or tenderness. Myopathy occurs because some NRTIs can interfere with mitochondrial DNA, leading to muscle damage and a decline in muscle function.

This adverse effect is particularly significant because it highlights a risk factor for patients undergoing NRTI treatment; they need to be monitored for muscle-related symptoms, as they can affect mobility and overall quality of life. While atrophy, rhabdomyolysis, and cramps may also be relevant concerns in some contexts, myopathy specifically indicates direct muscle injury associated with the impact of NRTIs.