Understanding the Role of HIV Antivirals in Managing the Infection

HIV antivirals are medications that inhibit the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the body, helping to manage the infection and prevent its progression.

HIV Antivirals FAQ

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Are antiretroviral drugs a cure for HIV?

They're not a cure for HIV. The FDA has approved more than two dozen antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. They're often broken into six groups because they work in different ways. Doctors recommend taking a combination or "cocktail" of at least two of them. This is called antiretroviral therapy, or ART.

What are HIV medications?

Some HIV medications are single pills that combine more than one medicine. Sometimes you might be given 1 or 2 different pills, but these can actually be 3 different medicines.

Should you take antiviral medicine if you have HIV?

Everyone with HIV infection, no matter what the CD4 T cell count or symptoms are, should be offered antiviral medicine. Staying on ART that keeps your HIV viral load in the blood from being detected is the best way for you to stay healthy. For ART to work, you must take the medicines as prescribed.

How are antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV infection?

Several classes of antiretroviral medications are used together to treat HIV infection. These medications block HIV from entering human cells or block the activity of one of the enzymes HIV needs to replicate inside human cells and/or integrate its genetic material into human DNA.

How effective is Antiretroviral treatment for HIV?

Antiretroviral treatment is beneficial only if the medications are taken on schedule. Missing doses allows the virus to replicate and develop resistance. Treatment cannot eliminate the virus from the body, although the HIV level often decreases so much that it cannot be detected in blood or other fluids or tissues.

What drugs are used to treat HIV?

The overall classes of medications that act against HIV at this stage are called entry inhibitors, and they included attachment inhibitors, post-attachment inhibitors, and fusion inhibitors. 2. HIV releases RNA, the genetic code of the virus, into the cell. For the virus to replicate, its RNA must be converted to DNA.