Medicines and Products for HIV Infection

HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of medicines that stops the virus from multiplying. ART is prescribed by a doctor and is taken for life.

How ART works

• It lowers the amount of virus in the blood (the viral load) to undetectable levels.
• It allows the immune system to recover.
• A person with an undetectable viral load does not pass HIV on through sex.

Main medicine groups

• Integrase inhibitors (for example dolutegravir)
• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (for example tenofovir, lamivudine, emtricitabine, abacavir)
• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
• Protease inhibitors

The combination depends on age, pregnancy, kidney and liver function, other illnesses such as TB, and any resistance. Many regimens are one tablet a day.

Taking ART safely

• Take it every day at the same time, exactly as advised.
• Do not stop, skip or share medicines.
• Report side effects such as rash, yellow eyes, severe tiredness, persistent vomiting or numbness. Do not stop on your own.
• Check interactions before taking any new medicine, herb or supplement.
• Have regular viral load and blood tests.

Medicines for prevention

• PrEP: daily tablets for people at high risk who are HIV negative
• PEP: a 28-day course started as soon as possible, and within 72 hours, after a possible exposure

Where to get it

Government ART centres in India provide testing and treatment free of charge.

Key point

ART works best when taken without gaps. Herbal or Ayurvedic products are not a substitute.

Before your appointment

Write down when you may have been exposed, and any symptoms such as fever, weight loss, cough or diarrhoea. List all medicines, herbs and supplements, and any pregnancy plans. Bring past test reports, including CD4 and viral load if you have them. Ask about testing, treatment, confidentiality, support services and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.