Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, is the use of a combination of medicines to slow the rate at which HIV makes copies of itself (replicates) in the body.
Why are antiretrovirals used?
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the amount of virus in your body (viral load). This helps keep your immune system healthy. ART can prevent AIDS and help you live a long and healthy life. And it can help prevent the spread of HIV to others.
How do antiretrovirals work?
There are many types of antiretrovirals. Usually two or three medicines are combined in a single pill. This is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). There are many possible combinations. Most people take one or two pills a day.
What is resistance to HIV medicines?
Drug resistance happens when disease-causing organisms change (mutate) over time. Those changes can make the organisms survive treatment that would usually kill or control them.
Because HIV mutates often, it can easily become drug-resistant. This can make HIV harder to treat. Sometimes people become infected with HIV that is already drug-resistant.
Missing doses of your HIV medicines increases your risk of drug resistance. That's why it's important to take your medicines as directed.
What are the side effects of antiretrovirals?
Some people feel sick to their stomach when they take these medicines. They may have belly pain or vomit. Some people have diarrhea. They may also feel tired or dizzy.
What are some cautions about antiretrovirals?
Cautions for antiretrovirals include the following:
- It's very important to take your HIV medicine as prescribed. If you miss doses, HIV may become resistant to the medicine. This makes HIV harder to treat.
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