Antiviral treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection: update for 2003
Postic, B.; Horvath, J.A.; Talwani, R.
Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association 99(6): 148-153
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-3139 PMID: 12886699 Document Number: 562124
Highly-active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) nowadays consists of 21 approved drugs in the USA. The medications belong to four classes: (1) Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, (2) Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, (3) Protease inhibitors, and (4) a fusion inhibitor. At least three effective drugs are required to reduce the viremia, aiming at nondetectable, and thus, raise the immune reserve, i.e. the CD4 lymphocyte count. HAART effectively extends the life of patients infected with HIV, in essence converting a fatal disease into a chronic infection, as eradication of HIV is not yet possible. The laurels of HAART are shadowed by its toxicity. Non-compliance with treatment is also an important contributor to its failure. HAART is continuing in development, change, benefiting the patients affected with HIV/AIDS, HCV and HBV.