AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Disorder, is the result of HIV infection. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that there are 1,106,400 people in the United States living with HIV infection. Without treatment, HIV infection will quickly become AIDS. According to the Mayo Clinic, the goal of AIDS treatment is to find the simplest, most effective strategy that has the fewest side effects. By using HAART, or highly active anti-retroviral therapy, the amount of active virus in the body can be kept low. This usually requires a minimum of three drugs.
Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, NRTIs
NRTIs were some of the first medications to be developed to suppress the HIV virus. By blocking the production of the HIV enzyme reverse transcriptase, this group of medications slowed the virus from replicating. AZT or zidovudine, which was one of the very first drugs developed, belongs in this class of medications. Other medications in this class include Lamivudine, Epivir, didanosine Videx, stavudine, Zerit and abacavir, Ziagen. A new drug in the NRTI class, emtricitabine or Emtriva, works against the HIV virus and Hepatitis B. Side effects of these medications include bone marrow suppression, which decreases the number of red and white blood cells. Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea can also occur (see reference 2).
Protease Inhibitors
By blocking the enzyme HIV protease, protease inhibitors cause the HIV cell to become disorganized, loses the ability to replicate and becomes noninfectious. Drugs such as saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir. amprenavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir, and tipranavir, are protease inhibitors. Darunavir, which is also known by the brand name Prezista, is intended for people who have not responded well to other medications. These medications are used with other HIV drugs to cut down on drug resistance. Side effects include the usual nausea and vomiting but in some patients excessive loss of weight occurs.
Fusion Inhibitors
Drug resistance is an alarming trait in HIV infection as many people around the world are showing signs of resistance to standard medications. Enfuvirtide, or Fuzeon, is the first fusion inhibitor developed specifically to help treat drug resistant HIV infection. This drug prevents the HIV cell membrane from fusing with the healthy cells of the body. This medication is used in combination with other medications in those with advanced disease.
