
What is a prophylactic drug?
A regimen for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV with two ARV drugs is effective, but three drugs are preferred. (Conditional recommendation, very-low-quality evidence) Recommendations TDF + 3TC (or FTC) is recommended as the preferred backbone regimen for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for adults and adolescents. (1) post-exposure prophylaxis ...
What are the different types of HIV inhibitors?
Jul 12, 2016 · Daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine is recommended for use as preexposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection in persons at high risk. When indicated, postexposure prophylaxis should be started as soon as possible after exposure. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Antiretroviral agents remain the cornerstone of HIV treatment and prevention.
What is the role of prophylaxis in HIV prevention?
Nov 14, 2021 · A prophylactic drug is one that's used to prevent a disease or condition. For example, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is taken to prevent HIV. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by about 99% and injection drug use by at least 74%.
What is the best third drug for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis?
16 rows · A number of investigational long acting agents and formulations are in advanced clinical development ...

Drugs used to treat Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What is the best regimen for HIV post exposure?
(Conditional recommendation, very-low-quality evidence) Recommendations. TDF + 3TC (or FTC) is recommended as the preferred backbone regimen for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for adults and adolescents.
How long is post exposure prophylaxis?
Any further contact with a person prescribed post-exposure prophylaxis should emphasize the importance of completing the full 28-day course , and reducing future risk of HIV infection. If the source is established to be HIV negative during the course of post-exposure prophylaxis, ARV drugs can be discontinued.
What is chapter 5 of WHO?
Supplementary section to the 2013 WHO consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection, Chapter 5 – Clinical guidelines across the continuum of care: HIV diagnosis and ARV drugs for HIV prevention
When was ARV prescribed?
ARV drugs have been prescribed for post-exposure prophylaxis following occupational exposure to HIV for health workers since the early 1990s. During the past two decades, the provision of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis has been extended to non-occupational exposures, including unprotected sexual exposure, injecting drug use and exposure following sexual assault.
Should HIV testing be delayed?
However, the initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis should not be delayed by the availability of the source HIV test results. In settings with generalized HIV epidemics, it is reasonable to assume that all sources of unknown HIV status may pose a risk of infection. If the source is determined to be HIV positive, provision should be made to link them to appropriate treatment and care. If the source is established to be HIV negative, post-exposure prophylaxis should be discontinued.
Does AZT cause anemia?
AZT-associated anaemia has been described both in HIV-exposed infants receiving postnatal prophylaxis and in children living with HIV receiving AZT for treatment, although these changes were mostly mild and transient in nature
Can you use NVP for HIV?
infants younger than 2 weeks old. In these cases, NVP, which has been widely used for HIV-uninfected infants for preventing the mother-to-child transmission of HIV (8), should be used. However, the NVP toxicity profile beyond infancy remains unclear, and concerns around serious adverse events observed among adults taking NVP as part of post-exposure prophylaxis strongly discourage the use of NVP for post-exposure prophylaxis for children beyond the age of 2 years.
What are the backbones of HIV?
These were the first drugs to be licensed for the treatment of HIV infection. They are generally considered the backbone of antiretroviral therapy when combined with PIs or NNRTIs. These drugs are similar in structure to nucleosides present in HIV RNA. During viral replication, they become incorporated into the genome, competing with cellular nucleosides. Upon incorporation into the HIV RNA, they bring about chain termination and incomplete replication of the viral genome. NRTIs require triphosphorylation within the cell before they become active.
When did protease inhibitors become available?
A dramatic decline in the clinical progression of HIV disease and HIV-related deaths followed the introduction of protease inhibitors in 1996. 3. These compounds act on the HIV protease enzyme, preventing the production of essential proteins.
What is panel 1?
Panel 1: Classes of antiretroviral drugs. These drugs act at different stages in the HIV replication cycle. The first antiretroviral agent to become commercially available was zidovudine in 1987, followed by didanosine and zalcitabine in 1993.
How does antiretroviral therapy work?
The goal of antiretroviral therapy in HIV infection is to increase the length and quality of life by improving immune function. This is achieved by reducing the amount of replicating virus to as low a level as possible , for as long as possible, in all sites where HIV-infected cells are present, thereby preventing infection of new cells and further damage to the immune system. The amount of replicating virus in the plasma can be assayed by measuring the concentration of HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA), referred to as the viral load. In practical terms, the aim of antiretroviral therapy is to lower the viral load to a value below the level of detection of the assay used. The lower limit of detection of any of the currently available licensed assays is 50 copies per ml.#N#1#N#Achieving this with the currently available antiretroviral agents involves appropriate selection of combination regimens to obtain an optimal antiviral response and excellent adherence to the regimen by the patient. In addition, consideration of a plan for a salvage or second line regimen is required if initial therapy fails.
How many antiretroviral drugs are there in the UK?
There are 14 antiretroviral drugs currently licensed in the UK. These can be divided into three classes (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs], protease inhibitors [PIs] and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NNRTIs]) as shown in Panel 1. Panel 1: Classes of antiretroviral drugs.
Is lopinavir a PI?
Lopinavir is the latest addition to the PIs. It is co-formulated with ritonavir (as Kaletra, recently launched in the UK), and the latter acts as a pharmacokinetic enhancer, substantially increasing lopinavir drug exposure. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) is increased 100-fold compared with that for lopinavir alone. This provides a pharmacological barrier to the emergence of viral resistance and the degree of drug exposure attained is sufficient to suppress the replication of viral strains that are genotypically or phenotypically resistant to the drug.#N#17#N#The benefits of elevated drug concentrations have to be weighed against the risks of short or long-term toxicity. At the dose selected for phase III clinical trials (400mg lopinavir and 100mg ritonavir twice daily), it appears to be well tolerated and has been shown, at least in the short-term, not to have many major side effects.
What is the NNRTI?
NNRTIs. The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are the third class of drugs currently available to treat HIV infection. These also act on the reverse transcriptase enzyme, thus inducing conformational changes that prevent HIV RNA from being processed.
What is a prophylactic antibiotic?
The term "prophylactic antibiotic s" refers to antibiotics that are given to prevent infection rather than treat infection. Prophylactic antibiotics are avoided whenever possible in health care, as the overuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance, and provides no benefit to the patient. There may be individual instances where the use ...
What is tertiary prophylaxis?
Tertiary Prophylaxis: Measures taken to reduce the impact of a chronic, ongoing disease or injury that is likely to produce long-lasting effects , such as stroke rehab programs or disease management programs for heart failure.
What is the difference between a prophylactic and a dental cleaning?
A prophylactic hepatitis vaccine prevents the patient from getting hepatitis, while a prophylactic dental cleaning prevents tooth decay.
What is prophylactic care?
Types of Prophylactic Care. Preventative care takes many forms and continues even after a disease process has been identified. Generally speaking, prophylaxis doesn't just mean preventing disease, it can also mean preventing a worsening of disease, minimizing the severity of disease, and preventing over-treatment.
Do you need antibiotics before dental surgery?
Prior to a dental procedure, individuals who have a history of infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection, should have antibiotics. 5 The same is true of individuals who have had a cardiac transplant with valve problems, people who have had their heart valve replaced and specific types of heart defects that are present at birth.
Do you need antibiotics for joint replacement?
There is no longer a recommendation that individuals with joint replacements receive antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures. If you have had a procedure that makes prophylactic antibiotics a good idea, your surgeon will make you aware of this.
Is prophylaxis good for health?
Prophylaxis is a good thing in health care, it prevents an unintended problem by addressing the potential issue before it actually becomes problematic. The prevention of harm or disease is often far easier, faster, and less expensive and less painful than treating the disease when it is allowed to occur. 1 .
How long does it take for PEP to work?
You must start it within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV, or it won’t work. Every hour counts!
Is PEP safe for HIV?
PEP is safe, but the HIV medicines used for PEP may cause side effects like nausea in some people . In almost all cases, these side effects can be treated and aren’t life-threatening. If you are taking PEP, talk to your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Can you use PEP for HIV?
No. PEP should be used only in emergency situations. It is not intended to replace regular use of other HIV prevention methods. If you feel that you might exposed to HIV frequently, talk to your health care professional about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
Screening, Testing, and Diagnosis
Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health Care Settings#N#These revised recommendations provide guidance for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health care settings.
Prevention
Preventing New HIV Infections#N#The listed guidelines and related implementation resources provide guidance about prevention strategies and services that can prevent or diagnose new HIV infections and link individuals at risk to relevant prevention, medical, and social services.
Treatment, Care, and Viral Suppression
Recommendations for HIV Prevention with Adults and Adolescents with HIV in the United States, 2014#N#This report updates and expands recommendations on four topics covered by the 2003 recommendations.
What is the role of protease inhibitors in HIV?
Protease inhibitors (PIs) block the activity of the protease enzyme , which HIV uses to break up large polyproteins into the smaller pieces required for assembly of new viral particles. While HIV can still replicate in the presence of protease inhibitors, the resulting virions are immature and unable to infect new cells.
What is triple therapy for HIV?
Most people start HIV treatment on two drugs from the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors class combined with either one integrase inhibitor , one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or one protease inhibitor – hence, ‘triple therapy’.
Why do you need a booster drug?
Booster drugs are used to ‘boost’ the effects of protease inhibitors. Adding a small dose of a booster drug to an antiretroviral makes the liver break down the primary drug more slowly, which means that it stays in the body for longer times or at higher levels.
How many types of antiretroviral drugs are there?
There are six main types (‘classes’) of antiretroviral drugs. Each class of drug attacks HIV in a different way. Generally, drugs from two (or sometimes three) classes are combined to ensure a powerful attack on HIV. Most people start HIV treatment on two drugs from the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors class combined ...
What is the backbone of HIV treatment?
This class of medications is sometimes referred to as the ‘backbone’ of a first-line HIV treatment combination. It includes the following drugs: Abacavir may be marketed under the name Ziagen, but generic versions are also available. Abacavir is included in the combination tablets abacavir/lamivudine and Triumeq.
How does CCR5 work?
CCR5 inhibitors prevent HIV from using the CCR5 co-receptor by binding to it, blocking viral entry. CCR5 inhibitors won’t work in everyone and are very rarely used for first-line treatment. You would have a test to see if this type of treatment would be effective before starting on it.
Is Atazanavir a generic?
Atazanavir may be marketed under the name Reyataz, but generic versions are also available. Atazanavir is included in the combination tablet Evotaz. Darunavir may be marketed under the name Prezista, but generic versions are also available. Darunavir is included in the combination tablets Rezolsta and Symtuza.

Antiretroviral Therapy
- The goal of antiretroviral therapy in HIV infection is to increase the length and quality of life by improving immune function. This is achieved by reducing the amount of replicating virus to as low a level as possible, for as long as possible, in all sites where HIV-infected cells are present, thereby preventing infection of new cells and further damage to the immune system. The amoun…
BHIVA Guidelines
- The main issues surrounding treatment with antiretroviral therapy have been addressed in the British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines.6
Virological Failure
- Virological failure is defined as a viral load of more than 50 copies per ml on two occasions, at least one month apart. This is important because HIV patients may show disease progression unless the viral load is resuppressed. Those patients who fail to attain a viral load of lower than 50 copies per ml on HAART, or patients who achieve a viral load of lower than 50 copies per ml wh…
Drug Interactions
- Understanding the potential for drug interactions is very important in patients taking HAART. Both PIs and NNRTIs are metabolised exclusively in the liver by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme system. The nucleoside analogues are mainly cleared renally and so do not pose as many metabolic drug interaction problems. Identification is now possible in early drug development o…
Emerging Toxicities
- Previously unknown toxicities of antiretroviral drugs are being discovered as more experience is gained in their use. These include mitochondrial toxicity, lactic acidosis and lipodystrophy.
New Therapies
- Lopinavir is the latest addition to the PIs. It is co-formulated with ritonavir (as Kaletra, recently launched in the UK), and the latter acts as a pharmacokinetic enhancer, substantially increasing lopinavir drug exposure. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) is increased 100-fold compared with that for lopinavir alone. This provides a pharmacological barrier to the e…
Opportunistic Infections
- Drug research has tended to concentrate on new antiretrovirals over recent years. Research into new drugs for the treatment of opportunistic infections (OIs) has become less attractive to pharmaceutical companies, with the introduction of HAART seeing a reduction in incidence. There are two main elements to the management of OIs — prevention and treatment. HIV-infected pati…
Malignancies
- Since the introduction of HAART, the incidence of AIDS-related malignancies such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and primary cerebral lymphoma have declined3 while that of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has remained unchanged.24, the need for effective treatments for these malignancies remains.
Summary
- The treatment of HIV disease remains complex and is rapidly changing, requiring the input of specialist heath care professionals. New antiretroviral drugs are being continually developed and the use of currently available drugs are being refined. There have been fewer drug developments in the treatment of OIs over the last few years but these still remain an important aspect of HIV t…
References
- Pozniak A. Surrogacy in HIV-1 clinical trials. Lancet 1998; 351:536–7.
- Paterson D, Swindells S, Mohr J, Brester M,Vergis E, Squier C, et al. Adherence to protease inhibitor therapy and outcomes in patients with HIV infection. Ann Intern Med 2000;133:21–30.
- Palella FJ, Delaney KM,Moorman AC, Loveless MO, Fuhrer J, Satten GA, et al. Declining morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infect…
- Pozniak A. Surrogacy in HIV-1 clinical trials. Lancet 1998; 351:536–7.
- Paterson D, Swindells S, Mohr J, Brester M,Vergis E, Squier C, et al. Adherence to protease inhibitor therapy and outcomes in patients with HIV infection. Ann Intern Med 2000;133:21–30.
- Palella FJ, Delaney KM,Moorman AC, Loveless MO, Fuhrer J, Satten GA, et al. Declining morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. N Engl J Med 1998;...
- Staszewski S, Morales-Ramirez J,Tashima KT, Rachlis A, Skiest D, Stanford J, et al (for the study 006 team). Efavirenz plus zidovudine and lamivudine, efavirenz plus indinavir, and indinavir plus z...