nadir

Lowest out of a series of measurements.

naïve

Never having taken anti-HIV treatments before.

named patient basis prescribing

A means of access to an unlicensed drug, in which a doctor requests supplies from its manufacturer for a specific individual.

National Cholesterol Education Programme

US programme aimed at reducing high blood cholesterol. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncep/index.htm

natural killer cells

Cells in the immune system which attack and destroy infected cells or tumour cells.

nausea

(nor-zee-uh)

Feeling sick.

neoplasm

(nee-o-plaz-um)

An abnormal and uncontrolled growth of tissue; a tumour.

nephrotoxic

(nef-fro-tock-sick)

Damaging to the kidneys.

neuralgia

(nure-ral-gee-uh)

A sharp pain along the path of a nerve.

neurological

(nure-ro-lo-jick-ul)

Relating to the brain or nervous system.

neuropathy

(nure-op-pu-thee)

Damage to the nerves.

neutropenia

(new-tro-pee-nee-uh)

A shortage of neutrophils.

neutrophils

(new-tro-fills)

Immune cells in the blood which can attack bacteria and fungal infections.

NNRTI

Non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the family of antiretrovirals which includes efavirenz, nevirapine and delavirdine.

nocte

Latin term meaning night.

NRTI

Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the family of antiretrovirals which includes AZT, ddI, 3TC, d4T, ddC and abacavir.

nucleoside

(noo-klee-o-side)

One of the building blocks from which DNA and RNA are made.

nucleoside analogue

Chemical which resembles a nucleoside. Family of antiretrovirals which includes AZT, ddI, 3TC, d4T, ddC and abacavir.

nucleotide analogue

(noo-klee-o-tide anna-log)

Chemical which resembles a nucleotide. Family of antiretrovirals which includes tenofovir.