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Anti-HIV drugs

Michael Carter

This booklet is a starting point for anyone who wants to know about treatments for HIV. It provides basic information about the drugs that fight HIV – known as antiretroviral drugs – and deals briefly with dosing, side-effects, drug interactions and drug resistance. 

Information contained in this booklet has been reviewed by a panel of medical experts. For full details of side-effects and drug interactions, see the product information leaflets that are produced by drug manufacturers for each drug they produce.

This information was correct at the time of going to press (February 2010). The booklet includes information on drugs which have been licensed in the UK or European Union.  

The booklet has been written to help you decide what questions to ask your doctor about any course of treatment you might be considering. We don’t intend it to replace discussion with your doctor about your treatment.

Anti-HIV drugs is also available online in Dutch, French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

  • HIV and anti-HIV drugs

    HIV is a virus which attacks the immune system – the body’s defence system against infection and illness. If you have HIV, you can take...

  • When to start treatment

    It’s not known for certain what is the best time to start treatment with anti-HIV drugs. This means you need to weigh up with your...

  • The importance of regular check-ups

    If you have HIV, you should see a doctor regularly for a check-up. Most people with HIV attend GUM clinics or specialist HIV clinics that...

  • Preparing to start your HIV treatment

    Taking antiretroviral therapy is a long-term commitment. Once you start the drugs, it is recommended that you continue treatment for the foreseeable future.  You are more...

  • Taking your HIV treatment

    It is very important not to miss doses of your anti-HIV drugs and to take them exactly as prescribed. If you miss doses, or you...

  • Drug interactions

    Taking two or more different drugs together may result in an alteration in the effectiveness (or side-effects) of one or more of the drugs being...

  • HIV treatment and pregnancy

    Antiretroviral drugs are now commonly used during pregnancy as an effective means of preventing the transmission of HIV from a mother to her baby. Although...

  • Names of anti-HIV drugs

    Pharmaceutical drugs are given several names:  First, a research name based on its chemical make-up or manufacturer, e.g. DMP266.  Second, a generic name which is common...

  • Nucleoside/nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs/NtRTIs)

    Most people now take these drugs in a fixed-dose pill that combines a number of drugs. These combination pills are listed first and there are...

  • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)

    Names : Efavirenz, Sustiva  Approved dosage : One dark yellow 600mg tablet once a day or three dark yellow 200mg capsules once a day. Efavirenz is also...

  • Protease inhibitors (PIs)

    Names : Atazanavir, Reyataz  Approved dosage : 300mg (two light and dark blue 150mg capsules) plus one cream-coloured 100mg ritonavir capsule taken together once a day....

  • Fusion and entry inhibitors

    Names : T-20, enfuvirtide, Fuzeon  Approved dosage : 90mg (given as a 1ml injection under the skin) twice a day. The drug has to be made...

  • Integrase inhibitors

    Names: Raltegravir, Isentress  Dose: One oval pink 400mg tablet twice daily.  Tips on taking it: Take with or without food.  Common side-effects: Diarrhoea, nausea and headache.  Key drug interactions:...

  • Summary

    Anti-HIV drugs prevent HIV from damaging your immune system, and so prevent ill health and prolong lives.  The best time to begin anti-HIV drugs is not...

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