Antiretrovirale
Antiretrovirals are medicines used to treat HIV infection. They inhibit viral replication and, when taken in combination as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can suppress HIV RNA to undetectable levels, preserve or restore immune function, and reduce the risk of transmission. ARVs can also be used for prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
ART regimens usually include at least two nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus a third drug
Major drug classes include NRTIs (for example, tenofovir and emtricitabine), NNRTIs (such as efavirenz and rilpivirine),
Side effects depend on the specific drugs and can include gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep disturbance, metabolic changes,
Public healthly, widespread ART reduces HIV-related illness and death and, when viral load is suppressed, virtually