HomeHealth TopicsImmune SystemHIV Medicines
Back to Immune System
HIV Medicines
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Immune System

HIV Medicines

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment for HIV, helping patients live longer, healthier lives by suppressing the virus and protecting the immune system.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It harms your immune system by destroying CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell that fights infection. The loss of these cells makes it hard for your body to fight off infections and certain HIV-related cancers.

Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system and advance to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which is the final stage of infection. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.

What is antiretroviral therapy (ART)?

The treatment of HIV with medicines is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). It involves taking a combination of medicines every day. ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV. While these medicines do not cure HIV, they help people live longer, healthier lives and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

How do HIV medicines work?

HIV medicines reduce the amount of HIV (viral load) in your body, which helps by:

  • Giving your immune system a chance to recover, allowing it to fight off infections and certain HIV-related cancers.
  • Reducing the risk that you will spread HIV to others.

Types of HIV Medicines

There are many different classes of HIV medicines that work by blocking or changing enzymes HIV needs to replicate:

  • Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): Block an enzyme called reverse transcriptase.
  • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): Bind to and later change reverse transcriptase.
  • Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs): Block an enzyme called integrase.
  • Protease inhibitors (PIs): Block an enzyme called protease.

Other medicines interfere with HIV's ability to infect CD4 cells:

  • Fusion inhibitors: Block HIV from entering the cells.
  • CCR5 antagonists and post-attachment inhibitors: Block molecules on the CD4 cells to prevent HIV entry.
  • Attachment inhibitors: Bind to a protein on the outer surface of HIV to prevent cell entry.

Additionally, pharmacokinetic enhancers are used to increase the effectiveness of other HIV medicines by slowing their breakdown, while multidrug combinations include two or more types of HIV medicines in one regimen.

Treatment Planning

It is important to start treatment as soon as possible, especially if you are pregnant, have AIDS, have HIV-related illnesses, or are in the early stages of infection. Your health care provider will create a personal treatment plan based on:

  • Possible side effects
  • Potential drug interactions
  • Daily pill burden
  • Other existing health problems

Consistency is critical; missing doses can lead to the virus becoming resistant to the medication. Always consult your provider regarding side effects before stopping any treatment.

HIV PrEP and PEP

HIV medicines are also used for prevention. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is for people at high risk who do not have HIV, while PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is for those who have possibly been exposed to the virus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Consistency is vital for the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. Taking your medication at the same time each day helps maintain steady levels of the drug in your bloodstream, which is necessary to suppress the virus effectively. Missing doses can allow the virus to replicate and potentially develop resistance to the medication. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time for your next dose. Setting alarms or using pill organizers can help ensure adherence. Never double up on a dose to make up for a missed one unless directed by your healthcare provider.
Common side effects of ART include nausea, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue, which often occur in the first few weeks of treatment and may subside as the body adjusts. Some medications can cause long-term effects like changes in body fat distribution or metabolic issues. It is crucial to report any severe or persistent side effects to your healthcare provider, who may adjust the medication regimen. Taking medications with food can help reduce gastrointestinal distress, and staying hydrated is important. Do not stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, as this can lead to viral resistance.
Yes, if a person with HIV takes their medication as prescribed and maintains an undetectable viral load for at least six months, the risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex is effectively zero. This concept is known as "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U). However, it is still important to use barrier methods like condoms to prevent other sexually transmitted infections and to discuss contraception if pregnancy is not desired. Regular testing and monitoring are essential to confirm that the viral load remains undetectable.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. If you have missed multiple doses or have been off medication for more than a few days, contact your healthcare provider immediately. They may need to adjust your treatment plan or perform additional testing to ensure the virus has not developed resistance. Consistent communication with your care team is key to maintaining viral suppression.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss