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Treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- ART involves taking a combination of HIV medications on a regular basis, called a regimen.
- ART does not cure HIV, but it does help people with HIV live long, healthy lives.
- A main goal of ART is to reduce the amount of HIV in the body until the viral load is no longer detectable.
- People whose viral load is undetectable cannot transmit the virus through sexual relationships.
I = I
Undetectable = not transferable
HIV drug classes
There are different types of ART, grouped according to their effect on HIV in the body.
These classes are:
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
- Protease inhibitors (PI)
- Fusion inhibitors
- CCR5 antagonists
- Fixation inhibitors
- Inhibitors after fixation
- Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (ITCIs)
- Capsid inhibitors
Forms of HIV medications
People with HIV typically take two to three HIV medications from at least two different drug classes as part of their treatment.
Some medications are taken once a day, while others have a long-lasting effect and are taken less frequently.
These medications come in various forms, including:
- Single-pill therapies, which are multiple medications from different classes combined in a pill or tablet
- Different pill regimens, which are different HIV medications taken in the form of 2 or more pills or tablets
- Two or more medications combined in one tablet
- Oral suspensions, which are one or more medications in liquid form
- Injectables, which are one or more medications that are injected
There are more than 50 FDA-approved HIV medications. [Administración de alimentos y medicamentos] to treat this infection
Choosing a therapy regimen
- When choosing a treatment plan, you and your doctor will consider factors such as:
- Other medical disorders
- Possible side effects of HIV medications
- Possible interactions between HIV medications and other medications you take
- Whether the therapy regimen is suitable for you
- Any issues (e.g. lack of health insurance) that may prevent you from following your treatment plan
Together with your doctor, you can determine the best treatment regimen for your health and lifestyle.
When does HIV treatment start to work?
The sooner you start ART after receiving an HIV diagnosis, the sooner it will work. Talk to your doctor about starting ART immediately.
Once treatment begins, the viral load of a person with HIV usually reaches undetectable levels within 3 to 6 months.
Do you need HIV treatment but don’t know how to get it?
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides assistance to people who need help finding and paying for medical care.
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Ryan White program from VIH/AIDS
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
