WHAT IS ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART)? Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a group of medications that treat HIV. The drugs do not kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in combination they can prevent the growth of the virus. When the virus is slowed down, so… Read More

WHAT IS ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY? Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the treatment of HIV infection has improved steadily since the advent of potent combination therapy in 1996. ART has dramatically reduced HIV-associated complications and death and has transformed HIV infection into a manageable chronic condition, with life… Read More

NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NRTIs) NRTIs bind to and block reverse transcriptase (an HIV enzyme). HIV uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA (reverse transcription). Blocking reverse transcriptase and reverse transcription prevents HIV from replicating. YEAR APPROVED BRAND NAME GENERIC NAME ALSO KNOWN… Read More

NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NRTIs) GENERIC NAME OTHER NAMES [BRAND NAME]* DOSAGE (ADULTS)** HOW TO TAKE SIDE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS abacavir abacavir sulfate, ABC [Ziagen] Prior to initiating therapy, test for the HLA-B*5701 allele. 600 mg by mouth daily, taken as either (1) 300 mg tablet… Read More

WHAT ARE DRUG INTERACTIONS? Prescription drug dosages need to be high enough to fight a specific disease but low enough to avoid causing serious side effects. Large changes in the amount of the drug in your bloodstream can be caused by interactions between prescription and… Read More

WHAT IS ADHERENCE? For people with HIV, treatment adherence means: Starting HIV treatment, called antiretroviral therapy (ART) Keeping all medical appointments Taking HIV medicines, called antiretroviral medications (ARVs), every day and exactly as prescribed (also called medication adherence) Adherence to treatment is a key part… Read More

WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO APPROVE NEW HIV DRUGS? Developing a new drug can take 10 years or more. First, drug companies must find substances that are active against HIV. Most HIV drugs are identified by testing existing drugs for anti-HIV activity (screening).… Read More