Introduction
When you have HIV, it’s important to know what treatments are available. There are more than 20 different types of medications on the market today. Each medication has its own set of side effects and may not work for everyone. The decision about which treatment is best for you depends on several factors including your overall health status, how severe your disease is at any given time, how long it takes for new drugs to become available—and how much money there is in your budget!
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are the first line of defense in HIV treatment. They work by blocking an enzyme that the virus needs to create copies of itself and cause it to die. NRTIs can cause side effects including stomach pain, headache and rash.
NRTIs block an enzyme that the virus needs to create copies of itself
NRTIs are a class of HIV drugs that are often used to treat HIV infection. They work by blocking the virus from making copies of itself, and so they can prevent the virus from spreading or creating new infections. NRTIs have fewer side effects than second-generation antiretrovirals (SGAAs), but there is still some risk for serious side effects such as heart problems and kidney failure if you take them long-term.
NRTIs are usually taken once every day at bedtime with food or water, while SGAAs need to be taken twice daily with food or water on separate occasions each day (evenings and mornings). The doses given in this way may vary depending on your response to treatment and how well your liver functions at any given time; however most people will receive one dose per day unless they have been prescribed higher doses by their doctor
NRTIs can cause side effects including stomach pain, headache, irritability, and rash
NRTIs, or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, can cause side effects including stomach pain, headache, irritability and rash. Side effects are common with the first-line medication zidovudine (AZT). They can be managed by taking anti-nausea medications if it’s severe enough to prevent you from eating or drinking, or by taking your medication at different times of day. If these medications aren’t effective in managing your symptoms and there are no other side effects you experience that interfere with daily life then talk to your doctor about switching to a different drug class like an integrase inhibitor (iPrAC), which may be less likely to cause nausea than AZT is.
If these medications aren’t effective in managing your symptoms and there are no other side effects you experience that interfere with daily life then talk to your doctor about switching from one ritonavir (RTV) class drug back onto another ritonavir class drug such as stavudine (d4T). Stavudine has been shown effective for treating HIV/AIDS but its use has been limited due its potential for causing diabetes mellitus type 2 when taken long term
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
NNRTIs are used to treat HIV. They inhibit reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that helps the virus replicate. NNRTIs are not as effective as other drugs for HIV treatment and therefore cannot be used alone to eliminate HIV from your body.
NNRTIs can cause side effects including stomach pain, headache, irritability, and rash (redness or swelling of the skin).
Protease inhibitors (PIs)
Protease inhibitors (PIs) are medications that block an enzyme the virus uses to create copies of itself.
PIs can cause side effects including stomach pain, headache, irritability and rash. They are taken with other drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
PIs block an enzyme that the virus needs to create copies of itself.
PIs block an enzyme that the virus needs to create copies of itself. PIs are used in combination with other medications, such as a protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). If you take these drugs on their own you may experience side effects including stomach pain, headache, irritability and rash.
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs)
InSTIs are a class of antiretroviral drugs that block an enzyme called integrase. The virus uses this enzyme to insert its genetic code into your body’s cells, making it possible for the virus to replicate and cause disease.
InSTIs are used for people who have already taken a NNRTI or PI, but developed resistance to them. If you have developed resistance to these drugs and need another choice, we may recommend an InSTI as an alternative treatment option because they can help keep your HIV levels low while allowing you access to other types of treatment if needed.
InSTIs block an enzyme that the virus uses to insert its genetic code into your body’s cells.
InSTIs block an enzyme that the virus uses to insert its genetic code into your body’s cells. The virus uses this enzyme to enter your cells and begin replicating, which causes damage and death.
InSTIs are newer and more expensive than other types of HIV drugs. They have fewer side effects than other types of HIV drugs, but they also have some serious side effects if used for long periods or in high doses.
Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of multiple drugs to treat HIV and prevent the virus from becoming resistant to medications.
HIV-infected individuals who take ART have a better chance at surviving longer than those who do not receive this treatment. The goal is to keep your viral load low, which will help prevent you from passing along HIV to others.
There are more than 20 different types of medications for HIV on the market today
There are more than 20 different types of medications for HIV on the market today. Many people who have HIV and live in stable health conditions may not need medication at all; however, some people will require a combination of drugs to control their virus.
In addition to taking antiretroviral medications daily, you should consider other ways to prevent or slow down the progression of your infection. You should also talk with your healthcare provider about any side effects that may occur from taking these medications (like headaches).
Conclusion
HIV is an incurable disease, but with the right combination of medications, you can live as independently as possible. With so many options available, it’s important to choose the one that works best for your own unique circumstances.
