Common Medications
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HIV or human immunodeficiency virus was first identified in 1981. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system (the cells that help the body fight infections). When a person is infected with HIV, they become vulnerable to other infections and diseases because of a weakened immune system. HIV spreads from person to person through contact with certain bodily fluids, most commonly through unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing of injection needles.
The human body can’t fight off and get rid of the virus. There is no cure for HIV yet, so once someone acquires the infection, they will have it for life. Without treatment, HIV infection can lead to severe damage to the immune system, resulting in a disease called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There are many HIV medicines available, which together are called antiretroviral therapy or ART. By taking ART, HIV-positive individuals can lead long and healthy lives. Treatment with HIV medicines can help delay or stop the progression of the disease to AIDS and prevent transmission of the virus to others.
Without HIV medications, survival rates are low. People with AIDS have an average life expectancy of 3 years. Once a dangerous opportunistic infection develops in an immunocompromised individual, survival rates fall further to about 1 year. HIV medicines can help people at every stage of the infection, but the sooner treatment is started, the more successful it is, which is why HIV testing is important. Based on 2018 figures from the U.S. government, approximately 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Roughly 1 out of 7 HIV-positive individuals are unaware that they have the infection.
Medications for HIV AIDS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved many HIV medicines which together are called antiretroviral therapy (ART). People with HIV must take their medicines every day as prescribed. ART should be started as soon as possible to delay or stop the progression of the disease. The initial HIV treatment regimen usually consists of at least three different HIV drugs from at least two different classes. The following classes of drugs are approved for HIV treatment in the United States.
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) like abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), zidovudine (Retrovir), and emtricitabine (Emtriva) work by preventing replication (generation of an abundant number of copies) of the virus.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) like doravirine (Pifeltro), nevirapine (Viramune), etravirine (Intelence), and efavirenz (Sustiva) work by slowing DNA synthesis in the cells.
Protease inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that the virus needs to make copies of itself. Examples include atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), darunavir (Prezista), and fosamprenavir (Lexiva).
Fusion inhibitors like enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) work by preventing HIV from fusing with target cells in the human immune system (CD4 or T cells). Fuzeon is administered by subcutaneous injection in the arm, thigh, or abdomen.
CCR5 antagonists like maraviroc (Selzentry) prevent HIV from entering and infecting the body’s immune cells.
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) like cabotegravir (Vocabria), dolutegravir (Tivicay), and raltegravir (Isentress) prevent the virus from integrating or incorporating with human host cells.
Attachment inhibitors like fostemsavir (Rukobia) and post-attachment inhibitors like ibalizumab (Trogarzo) prevent HIV from connecting to CD4 immune cells in the body.
There are several combination HIV medicines available that contain two or more antiretroviral drugs from one or more of the above-mentioned drug classes.
Over-the-Counter Medications for HIV AIDS
The drugs used to treat HIV AIDS are highly specialized and can have serious side effects. They are only available by prescription. You must follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations regarding HIV AIDS treatment. There is no cure for this disease. The seriousness of HIV infection warrants a careful treatment plan under medical supervision.
Common Side Effects of HIV AIDS Medications
NRTIs cause mitochondrial toxicity (damage to the DNA of cells), resulting in symptoms like myopathy (muscle problems), neuropathy (nerve problems), lipoatrophy (localized fat loss), and liver problems.
NNRTIs have fewer side effects compared to NRTIs. The most common side effect of this class of drugs is skin rashes, some of which can be severe. Other side effects of NNRTIs include high levels of certain liver enzymes, alterations in the central nervous system leading to mood changes, disturbing dreams, and insomnia, and neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cells).
Common adverse effects of protease inhibitors include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood), lipodystrophy (abnormal fat distribution in the body), and insulin resistance (poor response of cells to insulin, the hormone that controls blood glucose levels).
The potential side effects of fusion inhibitors include pain, redness, bruising, itching, irritation, swelling, and formation of bumps at the injection site.
Maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist, can cause side effects like nausea and dizziness. More serious side effects include skin reactions, allergic reactions, heart problems, and liver problems.
Common side effects of INSTIs include nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia. Allergic reactions, depression, and suicidal thoughts are less common but more serious adverse effects of these medications.
Side effects of attachment inhibitors include headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, rash, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Post-attachment inhibitors can cause diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and rash as side effects.
Common Questions
How will I know if I have HIV?
Some people develop a non-specific flu-like illness with fever, joint pains, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes immediately after the infection. However, most people do not know when they become infected with HIV. Even though an HIV infection may not cause any symptoms, a newly infected person can transmit the virus to other people. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. An HIV test is relatively simple and can be performed at hospitals, medical clinics, and community health centers. You can also buy a home testing kit for HIV at your local pharmacy or online.
When do people infected with HIV develop AIDS?
The length of time it takes for infection with HIV to progress to AIDS illness varies from person to person. On average, it takes a person 10-15 years, but it can be longer or shorter. Antiretroviral therapy can delay or prevent progression to AIDS.
Can I get a discount on antiretroviral therapy with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including prescription antiretroviral drugs for HIV—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids
2. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics#:~:
3. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/fda-approved-hiv-medicines
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551504/
5. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1533218-163104/what-are-the-adverse-effects-of-protease-inhibitors-in-antiretroviral-therapy-of-hiv-infection#
6. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1533218-163111/what-is-the-mechanism-of-action-of-fusion-inhibitors-fis-in-antiretroviral-therapy-of-hiv-infection
7. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/drugs/maraviroc/patient
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776739/
9. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1533218-163109/what-are-the-adverse-effects-of-integrase-strand-transfer-inhibitors-in-antiretroviral-therapy-of-hiv-infection
10.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30378502
11.https://www.unaids.org/en/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-aids
Common HIV AIDS Health Medications
HIV AIDS
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter HIV AIDS medications.
HIV or human immunodeficiency virus was first identified in 1981. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system (the cells that help the body fight infections). When a person is infected with HIV, they become vulnerable to other infections and diseases because of a weakened immune system. HIV spreads from person to person through contact with certain bodily fluids, most commonly through unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing of injection needles.
The human body can’t fight off and get rid of the virus. There is no cure for HIV yet, so once someone acquires the infection, they will have it for life. Without treatment, HIV infection can lead to severe damage to the immune system, resulting in a disease called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There are many HIV medicines available, which together are called antiretroviral therapy or ART. By taking ART, HIV-positive individuals can lead long and healthy lives. Treatment with HIV medicines can help delay or stop the progression of the disease to AIDS and prevent transmission of the virus to others.
Without HIV medications, survival rates are low. People with AIDS have an average life expectancy of 3 years. Once a dangerous opportunistic infection develops in an immunocompromised individual, survival rates fall further to about 1 year. HIV medicines can help people at every stage of the infection, but the sooner treatment is started, the more successful it is, which is why HIV testing is important. Based on 2018 figures from the U.S. government, approximately 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Roughly 1 out of 7 HIV-positive individuals are unaware that they have the infection.
Medications for HIV AIDS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved many HIV medicines which together are called antiretroviral therapy (ART). People with HIV must take their medicines every day as prescribed. ART should be started as soon as possible to delay or stop the progression of the disease. The initial HIV treatment regimen usually consists of at least three different HIV drugs from at least two different classes. The following classes of drugs are approved for HIV treatment in the United States.
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) like abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), zidovudine (Retrovir), and emtricitabine (Emtriva) work by preventing replication (generation of an abundant number of copies) of the virus.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) like doravirine (Pifeltro), nevirapine (Viramune), etravirine (Intelence), and efavirenz (Sustiva) work by slowing DNA synthesis in the cells.
Protease inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that the virus needs to make copies of itself. Examples include atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), darunavir (Prezista), and fosamprenavir (Lexiva).
Fusion inhibitors like enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) work by preventing HIV from fusing with target cells in the human immune system (CD4 or T cells). Fuzeon is administered by subcutaneous injection in the arm, thigh, or abdomen.
CCR5 antagonists like maraviroc (Selzentry) prevent HIV from entering and infecting the body’s immune cells.
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) like cabotegravir (Vocabria), dolutegravir (Tivicay), and raltegravir (Isentress) prevent the virus from integrating or incorporating with human host cells.
Attachment inhibitors like fostemsavir (Rukobia) and post-attachment inhibitors like ibalizumab (Trogarzo) prevent HIV from connecting to CD4 immune cells in the body.
There are several combination HIV medicines available that contain two or more antiretroviral drugs from one or more of the above-mentioned drug classes.
Over-the-Counter Medications for HIV AIDS
The drugs used to treat HIV AIDS are highly specialized and can have serious side effects. They are only available by prescription. You must follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations regarding HIV AIDS treatment. There is no cure for this disease. The seriousness of HIV infection warrants a careful treatment plan under medical supervision.
Common Side Effects of HIV AIDS Medications
NRTIs cause mitochondrial toxicity (damage to the DNA of cells), resulting in symptoms like myopathy (muscle problems), neuropathy (nerve problems), lipoatrophy (localized fat loss), and liver problems.
NNRTIs have fewer side effects compared to NRTIs. The most common side effect of this class of drugs is skin rashes, some of which can be severe. Other side effects of NNRTIs include high levels of certain liver enzymes, alterations in the central nervous system leading to mood changes, disturbing dreams, and insomnia, and neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cells).
Common adverse effects of protease inhibitors include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood), lipodystrophy (abnormal fat distribution in the body), and insulin resistance (poor response of cells to insulin, the hormone that controls blood glucose levels).
The potential side effects of fusion inhibitors include pain, redness, bruising, itching, irritation, swelling, and formation of bumps at the injection site.
Maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist, can cause side effects like nausea and dizziness. More serious side effects include skin reactions, allergic reactions, heart problems, and liver problems.
Common side effects of INSTIs include nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia. Allergic reactions, depression, and suicidal thoughts are less common but more serious adverse effects of these medications.
Side effects of attachment inhibitors include headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, rash, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Post-attachment inhibitors can cause diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and rash as side effects.
Common Questions
How will I know if I have HIV?
Some people develop a non-specific flu-like illness with fever, joint pains, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes immediately after the infection. However, most people do not know when they become infected with HIV. Even though an HIV infection may not cause any symptoms, a newly infected person can transmit the virus to other people. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. An HIV test is relatively simple and can be performed at hospitals, medical clinics, and community health centers. You can also buy a home testing kit for HIV at your local pharmacy or online.
When do people infected with HIV develop AIDS?
The length of time it takes for infection with HIV to progress to AIDS illness varies from person to person. On average, it takes a person 10-15 years, but it can be longer or shorter. Antiretroviral therapy can delay or prevent progression to AIDS.
Can I get a discount on antiretroviral therapy with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including prescription antiretroviral drugs for HIV—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids
2. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics#:~:
3. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/fda-approved-hiv-medicines
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551504/
5. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1533218-163104/what-are-the-adverse-effects-of-protease-inhibitors-in-antiretroviral-therapy-of-hiv-infection#
6. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1533218-163111/what-is-the-mechanism-of-action-of-fusion-inhibitors-fis-in-antiretroviral-therapy-of-hiv-infection
7. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/drugs/maraviroc/patient
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776739/
9. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1533218-163109/what-are-the-adverse-effects-of-integrase-strand-transfer-inhibitors-in-antiretroviral-therapy-of-hiv-infection
10.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30378502
11.https://www.unaids.org/en/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-aids
Common HIV AIDS Health Medications
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