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Anti-HIV medications are used to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow the progression of HIV disease. Anti-HIV medications are also called antiretroviral medications. There are four classes of FDA-approved antiretroviral medications: NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs, and fusion inhibitors.

How many medications will I need to take?

The recommended treatment for HIV is a combination of three or more medications in a regimen called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). How many pills you will need to take and how often you will take them depends on what medications you and your doctor choose.

Which medications should I take?

Each HAART regimen is tailored to the individual patient � there is no one "best" regimen. You and your doctor will decide which medications are right for you. For people taking HAART for the first time, the recommended regimens are:

Sustiva + Epivir + (Retrovir or Viread or Zerit)

Kaletra + Epivir + (Retrovir or Zerit)

Are there any other treatment regimens?

Some people may benefit from a different regimen. Recommended alternative regimens are:

	Sustiva + Emtriva + (Retrovir or Viread or Zerit)
	Sustiva + Videx + (Epivir or Emtriva)
	Viramune + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit or Videx)
	Agenerase + low dose Norvir + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit)
	Reyataz + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit)
	Crixivan + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit)
	Crixivan + low dose Norvir + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit)
	Kaletra + Emtriva + (Retrovir or Zerit)
	Viracept + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit)
	(Fortovase or Invirase) + low dose Norvir + (Epivir or Emtriva) + (Retrovir or Zerit)

In general, taking only one or two drugs is not recommended because any decrease in viral load is almost always temporary without three or more drugs. The exception is the recommendation for pregnant women, who may take Retrovir alone or with other drugs to reduce the risk of passing HIV to their infants.

If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, there are additional treatment considerations.

What are some of the negative side effects of HAART?

You may experience negative side effects (drug toxicity) when you take HIV drugs. Some of these side effects are serious, even life-threatening; you may have to change drugs due to intolerable side effects. You and your doctor or pharmacist should discuss the side effects of each medication.

Possible side effects of HAART include:

liver problems
diabetes
abnormal fat distribution (lipodystrophy syndrome)
high cholesterol
increased bleeding in patients with hemophilia
decreased bone density
skin rash
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
nerve problems

Side effects that may seem minor, such as fever, nausea, and fatigue, can mean there are serious problems. Always discuss any side effects you are having with your doctor.

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