Human immunodefiency virus infection has no cure. However, the anti-HIV (antiretroviral) drugs that are prescribed to treat this infection can prolong the life of an infected individual by decades. The U.S. Department of Health recommends anti-HIV medications for all HIV-positive individuals with low immune cell count, to pregnant women who are HIV-positive and to individuals with HIV-associated nephropathy and hepatitis B.
History
The first case of HIV was reported in 1981. Azidothymidine was the first drug, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, to treat and manage HIV infection. The formation of National Task Force on AIDS Drug Development in 1994 led to the development and approval of a number of new drugs. A December 2009 report of the U.S. Department of Health states that more than 20 antiretroviral drugs are available today to treat HIV.
Types of HIV Medications
According to the Mayo Clinic, seven classes of anti-HIV drugs are available. They include nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, fusion inhibitors,
nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and chemokine co-receptors inhibitors.
Side Effects
The University of California San Francisco Medical Center warns of side effects such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and sharp burning pain in the hands and legs as side effects of antiretroviral drugs. More serious side effects include yellowing of the eyes or skin, change in heart rhythm and diabetes. The side effects vary depending on the individual and it is best to discuss them with a doctor before starting the medications.
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
HIV has a tendency to develop resistance against anti-retroviral drugs, especially if only one of them is used. HAART, which was developed in 1996, is a combination of three or more drugs that are given to the patient at the same time. According to the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health, the initial antiretroviral therapy should include one of the following three regimens: NNRTI plus two NRTI, PI plus two NRTI or integrase inhibitor plus two NRTI.
However, the final selection of a regimen should be individualized based on the levels of virus in the patient's blood, side effects of the drugs, dosing size and frequency and overall condition of the patient.
Treatment Failure
Treatment failure occurs when the anti-HIV drugs are unable to reduce the viral count in the blood or when the levels of immune cells do not increase despite a reduction in the amount of virus or when reduction in the viral levels and increase in immune cell levels fail to improve the patient's quality of life. According to the U.S. Department of Health, treatment failure can occur because of a prior AIDS diagnosis, incomplete medication adherence and missed physician appointments, improper absorption of the drug into the patient's body or presence of drug-resistant virus.
