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Every yr, thousands of women are infected with HIV. At that place is promise. There are medicines that can treat HIV and help people live longer.

Employ this page to help you talk to your healthcare provider well-nigh the medicines you are taking. This information provides some basic facts nearly the anti-HIV medicines that have been approved past the FDA.

Helpful Tips

  • Quick Facts
  • Questions to Ask Your Dr.
  • Risks and Side Furnishings
  • HIV Prevention: Medicine to Reduce HIV Risk
  • Pregnancy Registries

Types of HIV Drugs

  • Combination Medicines
  • Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
  • Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Integrase Inhibitors
  • Fusion Inhibitors
  • CCR5 Antagonists
  • CD4 Post-Attachment Inhibitor
  • CYP3A Inhibitors

Quick Facts

There is a lot you need to know most HIV. Read these quick facts before you talk with your healthcare provider about your HIV handling.

  • HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
  • HIV makes it difficult for your body to fight off sickness.
  • At that place are cells in your blood called "CD4 cells" or "T cells." These cells help protect your body from affliction. HIV kills these cells.
  • There are medicines that you lot can take to reduce the corporeality of HIV and increase the CD4 cells in your trunk.
  • These medicines do not cure HIV, but can aid y'all live a longer, healthier life. These medicines also lower the take a chance of giving HIV to someone else.
  • The medicines used to care for HIV are called "antiretroviral treatment," or ART. There are different kinds of Fine art medicines.
  • When you are on ART for HIV, y'all need to take medicine every day. Yous may need to take one or more pills every day. Some Fine art medicines come in a liquid you accept past mouth or as an intravenous, or IV, infusion your healthcare provider can give to you. The combination of different HIV medicines that you accept is called your regimen.
  • It is of import that you have your medicines every day. Do not skip doses or stop taking your medicines without outset talking to your healthcare provider. Over time, you can go sick if y'all do not take your medicines.
  • You should not breastfeed if you are HIV-positive considering HIV can be passed to your infant through breast milk.
  • Some medicines may reduce how well some hormonal nascence control works. Patients who could go pregnant should talk to their healthcare provider about nascency control and what medicines are best for them.
  • Before taking whatever new Fine art medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become meaning.
  • If y'all are HIV-positive and pregnant, yous can lower the chance of passing HIV to your unborn baby past taking Art.
    • Some HIV medicines should not exist taken at the fourth dimension of formulation through the start trimester of pregnancy considering they may harm your unborn baby.
    • Some HIV medicines should not exist taken at all during pregnancy. You may not have enough of certain HIV medicines in your body because of changes to your body that occur during pregnancy.
  • Some people with HIV may take changes in body fat, such as fatty build-up in the belly, neck, or breasts or fat loss in the arms, legs, buttocks, or face. Some people with HIV will never have these changes.  The exact cause is not known. It may be acquired by HIV infection or medicines to treat HIV.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not start a new medicine or terminate taking a medicine without telling your healthcare provider.

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Of import Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Inquire your physician to tell you what you should know about your HIV medicines.

  • What medicines am I taking to treat HIV?
  • When should I take each medicine?
  • Should I take my medicines with food?
  • Which prescription medicines, herbs (like St. John's Wort), over-the-counter medicines (like antacids), or vitamins can affect my HIV medicines? Can my HIV medicines affect any of the other medicines I have?
  • How should I store my HIV medicines? What about when I am away from dwelling house or go out of town?
  • What are the side effects of the medicines I am taking?
  • What should I exercise if I start having bad side furnishings?

Skip to HIV Medicines

Risks and Side Effects

HIV medicines can sometimes cause side furnishings. Some side effects happen for a short time. Other side effects can cause long term health issues. Tell your healthcare provider well-nigh any side effects y'all are having. Do not cease taking your medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may tell y'all tips to help y'all cope with the side furnishings. Your healthcare provider may likewise tell you lot to take different medicines.

  • This folio does not requite the specific side effects and warnings for each HIV medicine.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the medicines yous take.
  • Check the FDA Spider web site to find more HIV medicine data.

Skip to HIV Medicines

My Regimen

It is important that you take your HIV medicines simply equally your healthcare provider tells you. Your medicines may not work if you skip a dose or practise not stick to your schedule. Over time, you can get sick if you do not have your medicines as directed. Your HIV may get resistant to your medicines. This ways your medicines could terminate working and more HIV could build upward in your trunk.

Hither are some tips to help you remember when to take your HIV medicines.

  • Use a schedule or planner.
  • Set up the alert on your scout or telephone.
  • Use a pillbox to help you organize your pills.
  • Ask a friend or family unit member to assist yous.

Chart to assistance you think when to take your HIV medicine

Time Medicine Name Dose
(How many Pills)
Notes
six:30 xxxxx (example) ane Pill Take by mouth with food

Order or Download our Free Medicine Tape Keeper.

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Combination Medicines

Combination medicines include two or more different HIV medicines in one pill. There are dissimilar types of combination HIV medicines.

Unmarried Tablet Regimen (You only take i pill each 24-hour interval.)

Brand Proper name Other Names
Atripla efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Biktarvy bictegravir sodium, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Complera emtricitabine, rilpivirine hydrochloride, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Delstrigo doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Dovato dolutegravir sodium and lamivudine
Genvoya cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Juluca dolutegravir sodium and rilpivirine hydrochloride
Odefsey emtricitabine, rilpivirine hydrochloride, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Stribild cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Symfi
Symfi Lo
efavirenz, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Symtuza cobicistat, darunavir ethanolate, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Triumeq abacavir sulfate, dolutegravir sodium, and lamivudine

Yous take the post-obit combination medicines along with other HIV medicines.

Brand Name Other Names
Cimduo lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Combivir lamivudine and zidovudine
Descovy emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Epzicom abacavir sulfate and lamivudine
Evotaz atazanavir sulfate and cobicistat
Kaletra lopinavir and ritonavir
Prezcobix cobicistat and darunavir ethanolate
Temixys lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Trizivir abacavir sulfate, lamivudine, and zidovudine
Truvada* emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

* Truvada can be used in combination with safer sex activity practices to reduce the hazard of a certain blazon of HIV in at-chance individuals. This regimen is called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information on PrEP.

This information does non give the specific side furnishings or warnings for each medicine. Bank check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider nearly the side furnishings and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

IMPORTANT TIP

Before you accept these medicines, tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

For more than information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, bank check Drugs@FDA

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Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

Make Name Other Names
Cimduo* lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Combivir* lamivudine and zidovudine
Descovy* emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate
Emtriva emtricitabine (likewise chosen FTC)
Epivir lamivudine (also called 3TC)
Epzicom* abacavir sulfate and lamivudine
Retrovir zidovudine (also called azidothymidine, ZDV; formerly called AZT)
Temixys* lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Trizivir* abacavir sulfate, lamivudine, and zidovudine
Truvada* emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Videx didanosine (also called DDl, dideoxyinosine)
Videx EC enteric coated didanosine (also called DDl, dideoxyinosine)
Viread tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (also called TDF)
Zerit stavudine (likewise called d4T)
Zerit XR
(extended release)
stavudine (likewise chosen d4T)
Ziagen abacavir sulfate (too chosen ABC)

* Cimduo, Combivir, Descovy, Epzicom, Temixys, Trizivir, and Truvada are combination medicines.

For more information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, bank check Drugs@FDA

This information does not requite the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you lot are taking.

IMPORTANT TIPS

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about existence tested for HLA-B*5701 prior to taking abacavir or medicines containing abacavir.
  • These medicines may cause lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood).
  • These medicines may cause serious liver, pancreas, or kidney problems.
  • If y'all have kidney problems or liver problems, such as hepatitis, talk to your healthcare provider before taking these medicines.
  • These medications are taken by mouth. Retrovir (other names: zidovudine, AZT, azidothymidine, ZDV) can also be given as an intravenous infusion.

WARNING SIGNS

Phone call your doctor correct away if you have any of these signs:

  • Tummy hurting with nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling very weak or tired
  • Problems breathing
  • Weakness in arms and legs
  • Tingling, numbness, or pain in feet or easily
  • Jaundice (pare or eyes await yellow)
  • Hurting in the upper or lower stomach surface area

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Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)

Brand Name Other Names
Edurant rilpivirine hydrochloride (also called RPV)
Intelence etravirine (also called ETR)
Rescriptor delavirdine mesylate (as well chosen DLV)
Pifeltro doravirine (as well chosen DOR)
Sustiva efavirenz (also called EFV)
Viramune nevirapine (too called NVP)
Viramune XR
(extended release)
nevirapine (also called NVP)

For more information about the risks and side furnishings for each medicine, bank check Drugs@FDA

This information does not give the specific side furnishings or warnings for each medicine. Bank check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

Important TIPS

  • If yous have CD4 counts higher than 250 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, talk to your healthcare provider almost the risks of taking Viramune (nevirapine).
  • These medicines may cause serious liver problems or severe skin rashes.
  • If yous have kidney problems or liver issues, such as hepatitis, talk to your healthcare provider before taking these medicines.
  • These medicines may touch on your nascency control pills or patch. Yous may need to use another method of birth control. Talk to your healthcare provider nearly what medicine is best for you lot.
  • These medications are taken by mouth.

WARNING SIGNS

Call your doctor correct away if you take whatsoever of these signs:

  • Influenza-like symptoms
  • Feeling tired
  • Exercise not feel like eating
  • Nighttime urine (looks similar tea)
  • Pale stools
  • Jaundice (skin or optics look yellowish)
  • Pain, aches, or sensitivity to affect correct side below your ribs

Besides call your healthcare provider correct away if you have a severe rash along with blisters, swelling, pinkish eye, fever, muscle/joint pain, or mouth sores.

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Protease Inhibitors

Brand Name Other Names
Aptivus tipranavir (also called TPV)
Crixivan indinavir sulfate (also called IDV, MK-639)
Evotaz* atazanavir sulfate and cobicistat
Invirase saquinavir mesylate (too chosen SQV)
Kaletra* lopinavir and ritonavir (also chosen LPV, RTV)
Lexiva fosamprenavir calcium (besides called FOS-APV, FPV)
Norvir ritonavir (also chosen RTV)
Prezcobix* cobicistat and darunavir ethanolate (also called DRV)

Prezista

darunavir ethanolate (also called DRV)
Reyataz atazanavir sulfate (likewise called ATV)
Viracept nelfinavir mesylate (also called NFV)

* Evotaz, Kaletra, and Prezcobix are combination medicines.

For more information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, check Drugs@FDA

This information does not give the specific side furnishings or warnings for each medicine. Cheque the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider nigh the side furnishings and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

IMPORTANT TIPS

  • Earlier y'all accept these medicines, tell your healthcare provider if y'all are pregnant or plan to become meaning.
  • These medicines may affect your birth control pills or patch. You may need to use another method of nativity control. Talk to your healthcare provider well-nigh what medicine is best for you.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you are taking. Protease Inhibitors may crusade serious health bug or death if mixed with other medicines.
  • These medicines may crusade serious liver problems.
  • These medicines may cause increased bleeding in people with hemophilia.
  • These medicines may cause diabetes or make it worse.
  • Certain protease inhibitors may cause an increase in cholesterol (triglycerides).
  • These medications are taken by oral fissure.

WARNING SIGNS

Call your doctor if y'all have any of these signs:

  • Serious skin rash
  • Feeling very weak or tired
  • Unusual muscle pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Stomach hurting with nausea and vomiting

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Integrase Inhibitors

Make Proper noun Other Names
Isentress
Isentress HD
raltegravir potassium (likewise called RAL)
Tivicay dolutegravir sodium (as well called DTG)

For more data nigh the risks and side effects for each medicine, check Drugs@FDA


Other Integrase Inhibitors

Elivitegravir and bictegravir — These medicines are bachelor only as a function of a unmarried tablet regimen combination medicine.

This data does non requite the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Bank check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider nigh the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines yous are taking.

Important TIPS

  • Before you have these medicines, tell your healthcare provider if y'all are significant or program to get pregnant.
  • Tell your healthcare provider near all medicines that you are taking. Integrase Inhibitors may crusade serious health issues or expiry if mixed with other medicines.
  • These medications are taken past mouth.

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Fusion Inhibitors

Brand Proper noun Other Names
Fuzeon enfuvirtide (also called T-20)

For more data nearly the risks and side furnishings for each medicine, check Drugs@FDA

This information does not requite the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Check the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines y'all are taking.

Of import TIPS

  • Taking Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) with other HIV medicines may increase your take chances of pneumonia. Tell your healthcare provider if yous accept a cough, fever, or trouble breathing.
  • This medication is a shot given under the skin.

Warning SIGNS

Fuzeon may cause serious allergic reactions. Phone call your doctor right away if you lot have any of these signs.

  • Trouble breathing
  • Fever with vomiting and a skin rash
  • Blood in urine
  • Swelling of the feet

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CCR5 Antagonists

Brand Name Other Names
Selzentry maraviroc (also chosen MVC)

For more information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, bank check Drugs@FDA

This information does not requite the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Cheque the medicine label and talk to your healthcare provider virtually the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

IMPORTANT TIPS

  • If you take liver problems, including Hepatitis B or C, should talk to your healthcare provider before taking Selzentry (maraviroc).
  • If you have kidney issues or center problems, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Selzentry (maraviroc).
  • Tell your healthcare provider if y'all are taking high blood pressure level medicines or if you have low claret pressure level.
  • Exercise not drive a car or apply heavy machinery if you feel dizzy while taking Selzentry (maraviroc).
  • This medication is taken by mouth.

Alarm SIGNS

Selzentry may cause serious liver problems. Call your dr. right away if you lot take whatsoever of these signs:

  • Itchy rash on your trunk
  • Pare or eyes look yellow
  • Night urine (looks like tea)
  • Airsickness and stomach hurting

You should also encounter your doctor right away if you take any of these signs:

  • Nausea
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Fatigue

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 CD4 Post-Attachment Inhibitor

Brand Name Other Name
Trogarzo ibalizumab-uiyk

For more information nearly the risks and side effects for each medicine, check Drugs@FDA

This data does not give the specific side effects or warnings for each medicine. Cheque the medicine characterization and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

IMPORTANT TIPS

  • This medicine is used to treat HIV but in adults who:
    • have received several anti-HIV regimens in the by, and
    • have HIV-1 virus that is resistant to many antiretroviral medicines (ARTs), and
    • who are failing their current ART.
  • This medicine is given by your healthcare provider every bit an intravenous (Four) infusion.

CYP3A Inhibitors

 Make Name  Other Names
Tybost cobicistat
Norvir ritonavir (also called RTV)

For more information about the risks and side effects for each medicine, check Drugs@FDA

This information does non give the specific side furnishings or warnings for each medicine. Check the medicine characterization and talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and warnings for the combination HIV medicines you are taking.

Important TIPS

  • Before taking these medicines, tell your healthcare provider if yous are meaning or plan to become pregnant. CYP3A inhibitors may interact with many unlike medicines. Some interactions can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines y'all accept, including prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, like St. John's Wort.
  • These medicines may reduce how well some (hormonal) nascence control works. Talk to your healthcare provider nearly what medicine is best for you
  • These medications are taken by mouth.

Go Back to the Superlative

HIV medicines and data are current equally of September 2019. For more than upward-to-date information on medicines for treatment of HIV and AIDS, please see Drugs@FDA.

HIV Prevention: Medicine to Reduce HIV Risk

What is PrEP?

PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is for adults who do not take HIV but are at loftier risk of becoming infected. Equally a part of PrEP, you tin can take a medicine every 24-hour interval to reduce the chance of getting the HIV virus through sex activity.Ask a healthcare provider whether PrEP is right for you.

  • Read the Truvada for PrEP fact sheet
  • Read the FDA press declaration on Descovy for PrEP
  • Learn more about PrEP from CDC

Sign Up for a Pregnancy Registry