Living with HIV

Drug Regimes

The drugs used to treat HIV are called anti-retrovirals, they are also commonly called HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). Being on HAART means taking three or more anti- HIV drugs in combination. Anti-retroviral therapies do not eliminate HIV from the body but can help people with HIV to prolong life and good health by reducing the harmful effects of HIV on the immune system.

Anti-HIV therapies come in five different category’s, these are:

• Nucleoside Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTI) – These target an HIV protein called reverse transcriptase
• Non-Nucleoide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTI) – These target an HIV protein called reverse transcriptase
• Nucleotide Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NtRTI) – These target an HIV protein called reverse transcriptase
• Protease Inhibitors (PI’s) – These target an HIV protein called protease
• Fusion Inhibitors – These target the point where HIV binds on to the immune system

Each of the anti-HIV drugs have subtle differences and different side effects. It is important that before you start on a drug regimen that you understand how the drugs work and how they might affect you. Before you start a new regimen discuss the drugs with your HIV consultant.

It is important that you stick to your drug regimen, this is called adherence. Adherence is the most important factor in how successful your drug regimen works for you. If you don’t manage to take your drugs properly then they will not work for you properly. Missing doses and taking drugs at the wrong time can mean that they don’t work the way they should and can mean that long term that your regimen may fail and in some cases your HIV becomes drug resistant. This means that you will have to change regimen, as there are still only limited anti-HIV therapies this will increase your chance of becoming ill.

Most people find it difficult to take medication regularly, particularly for long-term illnesses. If you would like to talk to anyone about strategies for remembering to take you HIV therapy then please call the Positively Sexy office or talk to your HIV consultant.