A variety of medications is now available to combat the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) yet no single medicine to-date is effective when taken alone and none of
them provide a cure. Combinations of HIV medications are valuable in controlling
the amount of virus in the body as well as maintaining the health of the body?s
immune system.
The medications that are currently available come in 5 different classes and each works in a different way and oftentimes at different stages of the
condition to limit HIV from multiplying. These core classes are
NucleosideNucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs), Non-Nucleoside
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
(NNRTIs) Byron
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integrase inhibitors.
NRTIs work to provide defective raw material to HIV as it tries to build replication systems in body cells. An example is Emtriva (emtricitabine). NNRTIs
work to provide incorrect blueprints for HIV as it tries to order the
replication process. An example is Sustiva (efavirenz). PIs work to provide
defective parts to each new HIV as it is assembled. An example is Reyataz
(atazanavir). Entry inhibitors work to prevent HIV from entering body cells. An
example is Fuzeon (enfuvirtide). Integrase inhibitors work to prevent HIV that
has already entered body cells from inserting code into body cell DNA. An
example is Isentress (raltegravir).
Different combinations of medication from these classes make up the treatment regime known as Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART).
No single combination of medications in HAART has proven to be best for everyone and treatment benefit is often optimized from selecting a suitable
combination after having compared the advantages and disadvantages of the
medications within the classes involved. The most common class combinations
prescribed at the beginning of HIV treatment are either an NNRTI in combination
with two NRTIs or the combination of a PPI with two NRTIs. PPIs can act as
boosters Kyler
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in the treatment regime.
The choice of HAART regimen should be discussed in detail with the prescribing doctor and often hinges on several key issues that include how
powerful the initial combination is, whether there is preservation of other
future combinations should there be resistance to the initially chosen
one Black Markus
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to be taken and how often these pills are to be taken.?
High cholesterol and poorer blood sugar control have been known to result from taking different
PIs Black D.J.
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however, may be less likely to contribute to such problems. Most NRTIs also have
been known to cause a build up of lactic acid that can result in
nausea Black T. J.
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nervous system resulting in tingling, burning and numbness in the hands and
feet. Many HIV medications cause diarrhea and stomach upset especially at the
start of treatment.
Depression Black
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with NNRTIs and other HIV medications although these usually do not last for
long. An experienced HIV specialist is usually the best person to consult with
should any unusual symptoms be experienced from taking HIV medication. It is
useful to note that the majority of side effects encountered do not last beyond
the first 2 months of starting treatment.
HAART medications are known to interact with a variety of other non-AIDS medications and such interactions should be discussed if other medications are
concurrently taken. Medications in any HAART regime can also be costly
especially if they are branded. Generics of such medications can be found in
various countries and as they become more available, are a good means of
reducing the cost of treatment. Generic AIDS medications often cost only a
fraction of their branded counterparts.
An experienced HIV medication ex
