HIV Treatment Guide: Types of Drugs Used in HIV Therapy
HIV is an RNA virus.
The anti-retroviral drugs target the RNA virus at different stages.
These inhibit viral cell replication and multiplication.
These reduce the viral count to undetectable levels.
The commonly used HIV drugs-
- INSTIs- Dolutegravir
- NRTIs- Lamivudine, Tenofovir Alafenamide
- NNRTIs – Efavirenz, Doravirin
- Protease Inhibitors – Ritonavir, Darunavir
What are the antiretroviral combinations /common single pill regimens used in HIV treatment?
Antiretroviral combinations or single-pill regimens are different classes of anti-retroviral drugs combined to form a single pill.
Two or more drugs combined target HIV at different sites.
These offer more potent action.
The single pill reduces the burden of multiple drug regimens.
The combination exhibits fewer side effects than a single large-dose drug.
The commonly used HIV combinations –
- Abakast L – Abacavir 600mg/ Lamivudine 300 mg
- Lopikast– Lopinavir and Ritonavir 200mg/50mg
- Temirazer– Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Emtricitabine 300mg/200mg
- Tudobest-L– Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumurate & Lamivudine 300mg/300mg
- Tudobest-LE– Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumurate, Efavirenz & Lamivudine 300mg/600mg/300mg
- Virarazer– Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumurate, Emtricitabine & Efavirenz 300mg/200mg/600mg
The largest HIV medicine manufacturer/exporter in India –
Aprazer Healthcare is a WHO-GMP-certified drug manufacturer in India.
We manufacture and export top-quality HIV medicines.
We are the global exporters of antiretroviral combinations.
As a leading generic medicine manufacturer, Aprazer manufactures affordable medicines without compromising the quality.
The drugs used for pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis –
The commonly used drugs that can be taken by people at high risk of infection.
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate- Temirazer
Emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide
What is on-demand (2-1-1 schedule)?
It is the HIV preventive medication taken before sexual activity.
The two pills are taken 24 hours before sex.
Take one pill after sex at 24 hours.
Take another pill at 48 hours.
Having sex multiple times must be followed by taking pills on two consecutive days without sex.
Is HIV a curable disease?
HIV is not curable. It requires lifelong treatment.
The anti-retrovirals effectively aid in lowering the HIV count.
These prevent disease progression.
They inhibit the spread of the virus.
Does HIV medicine prevent virus transmission from mother to child?
The HIV drugs taken during pregnancy significantly lower the risk of transmission.
The anti-retrovirals are used in pregnancy and labor.
These are also given to the infant for 4-6 weeks.
It prevents the child from developing HIV infection.
Can an undetectable viral count safeguard against virus transmission through sexual contacts?
The HIV medicines reduce viral count to zero (nil).
The virus is not able to mutate, replicate, or multiply.
It lowers the risk of transmission during sexual contact.
However, with a positive HIV count, the virus gets easily transmitted through body fluids.
Stopping the treatment after my viral count reaches undetectable levels. Is it safe?
The HIV medicines do not eliminate the infection.
These suppress the virus.
Leaving the HIV drugs reactivates the virus to replicate and spread.
Anti-retroviral therapy is a lifelong treatment.
Sudden withdrawal overactivates the immune system, causing an immune flare.
Conclusion –
HIV is highly manageable with anti-retrovirals.
Daily adherence to HIV treatment significantly lowers HIV multiplication and spread.
Aprazer Healthcare is committed to manufacturing a range of generic antiretroviral combinations, offering affordable access to HIV treatments worldwide.
