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HIV ManagementHIV Management Medications

Antiretrovirals keep HIV in check by blocking the virus at different stages of its life cycle. Combined into one regimen, they push the viral load to undetectable. This category also covers drugs used to prevent infection.

These medicines treat HIV infection, provide pre-exposure prophylaxis, and some also act against chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C.

Key points

  • Four drug classes block HIV at different points in its life cycle, and combining several together typically drives the viral load below detectable levels.
  • The four classes differ in which viral enzyme or step they interrupt, from copying genetic material to assembling new virus particles.
  • Every antiretroviral is prescription-only in the UK, monitored through specialist HIV clinics, though treatment itself and PrEP both remain free regardless of status.

Medicines in the HIV Management category

Tivicay

Dolutegravir

50mg

Indicated for human immunodeficiency virus infection to alleviate viral load.

Kaletra

Lopinavir, Ritonavir

200/50mg

Developed to manage HIV and indicated to target the replication of the virus in the body, supporting immune system health.

Epivir

Lamivudine

150mg

Developed to manage hiv infection and chronic hepatitis b to support long-term viral suppression.

Isentress

Raltegravir

400mg

Developed to target human immunodeficiency virus infection to alleviate viral load.

Sustiva

Efavirenz

200 · 600mg

Formulated to address human immunodeficiency virus infection, developed to mitigate viral replication and support immune health within established treatment regimens.

Viramune

Nevirapine

200mg

Viramune is designed to target HIV to mitigate viral replication, utilized to support immune system function and to address long-term viral progression.

Epivir Hbv

Lamivudine

100mg

Indicated for chronic hepatitis b to support viral suppression and hepatocyte health.

Ziagen

Abacavir

300mg

Formulated to target HIV infection to support immune system health in combination with other treatments.

Zepdon

Raltegravir

400mg

Indicated to target viral replication in HIV management formulated to mitigate disease progression.

Tenofovir

Tenofovir

300mg

Indicated to mitigate viral replication to support immune system health in chronic infection.

What’s in this category

UK status

Every antiretroviral here is prescription-only (POM), started and monitored by specialist HIV clinics with regular blood tests. NHS HIV treatment is free regardless of immigration status. PrEP is available free through sexual-health clinics. No HIV medicine is sold over the counter.

Further reading

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