Treatment Guide to some HIV Medications available in the Caribbean
IMPORTANT FACT: None of the following Antiretrovirals listed here eliminate HIV or AIDS or totally restore the immune system. There is still a danger of serious infections, so you should be sure to see your doctor regularly for monitoring and tests. Notify your doctor immediately of any changes in your general health.
Remember there is no cure for HIV and AIDS and Treatment does not eliminate the danger of transmitting the virus to others.
Combivir
Pronounced: KOM-bi-veer
Generic ingredients: Lamivudine, Zidovudine
Combivir is a combination product containing the two AIDS drugs, lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir). The drugs in Combivir interfere with the virus's ability to reproduce, thus staving off the decline of the immune system and preserving better health. It is intended for use with additional AIDS drugs.
Crixivan
Pronounced: CRIX-i-van
Generic name: Indinavir sulfate
Crixivan belongs to a class of HIV drugs called protease inhibitors, which work by interfering with an important step in the virus's reproductive cycle. Although Crixivan cannot eliminate HIV already present in the body, it can reduce the amount of virus available to infect other cells. Crixivan can be taken alone or in combination with other HIV drugs such as Retrovir. Because Crixivan and Retrovir attack the virus in different ways, the combination is likely to be more effective than either drug alone.
Epivir
Pronounced: EPP-ih-veer
Generic name: Lamivudine
Doctors turn to Epivir as the infection gets worse. The drug is taken along with Retrovir, another HIV medication. Like other drugs for HIV, Epivir interferes with the virus's ability to reproduce. This staves off the collapse of the immune system.
Kaletra
Pronounced: cuh-LEE-tra
Generic ingredients: Lopinavir, Ritonavir
Kaletra is a combination of two drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir (Norvir), both of which fall into the drug category known as protease inhibitors. When taken along with other HIV drugs, Kaletra lowers the amount of the virus circulating in the bloodstream. However, it does not completely eradicate the virus, and you may continue to develop the rare infections that attack when the immune system weakens.
Norvir
Pronounced: NOR-veer
Generic name: Ritonavir
Norvir belongs to a class of HIV drugs called protease inhibitors. Although Norvir cannot get rid of HIV already present in the body, it can reduce the amount of virus available to infect other cells. Norvir is used in combination with other HIV drugs called nucleoside analogues (Retrovir, Hivid, and others). These two types of drugs act against HIV in different ways thus improving the odds of success.
Retrovir
Pronounced: reh-troh-VEER
Generic name: Zidovudine
Retrovir is prescribed for adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Retrovir slows down the progress of HIV. Combining Retrovir with other drugs such as Epivir and Crixivan can help slow the progression. Retrovir is also prescribed for HIV-infected children over 3 months of age who have symptoms of HIV or who have no symptoms but, through testing, have shown evidence of impaired immunity. Retrovir taken during pregnancy often prevents transmission of HIV from mother to child.
Sustiva (also called Stocrin)
Pronounced: suss-TEE-vah
Generic name: Efavirenz
Like other drugs for HIV, Sustiva works by impairing the virus's ability to multiply. However, when taken alone it may prompt the virus to become resistant. Sustiva is therefore always taken with at least one other HIV medication, such as Retrovir or Crixivan. Even when used properly, it may remain effective for only a limited time.
Trizivir
Pronounced: TRY-zuh-vir
Generic ingredients: Abacavir, Lamivudine, Zidovudine
Trizivir combines three drugs used to fight HIV. The components of Trizivir are all members of the category of HIV drugs known as nucleoside analogs.
Videx
Pronounced: VIE-decks
Generic name: Didanosine
Videx disrupts reproduction of HIV, thereby staving off the immune system's collapse.
Viracept
Pronounced: VYE-ruh-sept
Generic name: Nelfinavir mesylate
Viracept works by interfering with an important step in the virus's reproductive cycle. This slows the spread of the virus and prolongs the strength of the immune system. Viracept belongs to the new class of drugs that has successfully reversed the course of HIV infection in many people. Called protease inhibitors, these drugs work better when used in combination with other HIV medications called nucleoside analogues (Retrovir, Hivid, and others) which act against the virus in other ways.
Viramune
Pronounced: VIE-ruh-mewn
Generic name: Nevirapine
Viramune is prescribed for advanced cases of HIV. Viramune is generally prescribed only after the immune system has declined and infections have begun to appear. It is always taken with at least one other HIV medication such as Retrovir or Videx. If taken alone, it can cause the virus to become resistant. Even if used properly, it may be effective for only a limited time. Like other drugs for HIV, Viramune works by impairing the virus's ability to multiply.
Viread
Pronounced: VEER-ee-ad
Generic name: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Viread staves off the attack by interfering with HIV reverse transcriptase, an enzyme the virus needs to reproduce. Viread lowers the amount of HIV in the blood and may help increase the number of T cells, important agents of the immune system that kill microscopic foreign invaders. It is used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs when these drugs are not effective by themselves.
Zerit
Pronounced: ZAIR-it
Generic name: Stavudine
Zerit is usually prescribed for people who have already been taking the HIV drug Retrovir for an extended period. Zerit helps stave off the attack by disrupting the virus's ability to reproduce.
Ziagen
Pronounced: ZYE-a-jen
Generic name: Abacavir sulfate
Ziagen helps to halt the inroads of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Like other anti-HIV drugs, Ziagen holds back the advance of the virus by disrupting its reproductive cycle. This medication is used only as part of a "drug cocktail" that attacks the virus on several fronts. It is not prescribed alone.
Research and Graphics provided by Health Square
For more details check out: healthsquare.com
NOTICE: Health Square is solely to be used as an informational resource and should never be used to replace contact with your licensed healthcare provider.
All rights reserved.
