HIV Medicines by class
NRTI – Almost all regimens are composed of one or two medicines belonging to the NRTI class to form the "backbone". In some regimens the backbone is incorporated in a single tablet regimen (STR). The commonly used NRTI backbones available in separate tablet(s) are:
- Tenofovir (TFV)-based: Truvada®(TDF+FTC); Descovy®(TAF+FTC); Viread®(TDF)+Epivir®(3TC)
- Abacavir (ABC)-based: Kivexa®(ABC+3TC); Ziagen®(ABC)+ Epivir®(3TC)
- Zidovudine (ZDV)-based: Combivir®(ZDV+3TC); Retrovir®(ZDV)+Epivir®(3TC)
NNRTI – One of the ARV classes forming "third compound" used in combination with NRTI backbone medicines. The commonly used NNRTI are:
- Efavirenz (EFV) – Stocrin®
- Rilpivirine (RPV) – Edurant®
- Nevirapine (NVP) – Viramune®
- Doravirine (DOR) – incorporated in STR Delstrigo®(TDF+3TC+DOR)
PI – Another ARV class forming the "third compound" used in combination with NRTI backbone medicines. PIs are commonly used together with a pharmacological enhancer or booster, which is either ritonavir (RTV) or cobicistat (COBI). In other words, PI could be a double medicine. The commonly used PIs are:
- Darunavir (DRV) – Prezista®(DRV); Prezista®(DRV)+Norvir®(RTV); Prezcobix®(DRV+COBI); Symtuza®(TAF+FTC+DRV+COBI)
- Atazanavir (ATV) – Reyataz®(ATV); Reyataz®(ATV)+Norvir®(RTV)
- Lopinavir (LPV) – Kaletra®(LPV+RTV)
INSTI – Another ARV class forming the "third compound" used in combination with NRTI backbone medicines. INSTI may be used together with a pharmacological enhancer or booster cobicistat (COBI). In other words, INSTI can be a double medicine. The commonly used INSTI are:
- Raltegravir (RAL) – Isentress®
- Dolutegravir (DTG) – Tivicay®
- Elvitegravir (EVG) – incorporated in STR Stribild® or Genvoya®
- Bictegravir (BIC) – incorporated in STR Biktarvy®
EI – Less commonly used medicine the use of which often reserved for situation when the standard regimens cannot be prescribed for various reasons like drug resistance
Single Tablet Regimen (STR)
Single tablet regimens (STR) are becoming commonly used for HIV treatment. All STRs are each composed of an NRTI backbone of one or 2 medicines plus a third compound.
| STR medicine | Components | 3rd compound class |
|---|---|---|
| Atripla® | TDF + FTC + EFV | NNRTI |
| Complera® | TDF + FTC + RPV | NNRTI |
| Delstrigo® | TDF + 3TC + DOR | NNRTI |
| Odefsey® | TAF + FTC + RPV | NNRTI |
| Symtuza® | TAF + FTC + DRV + COBI | PI |
| Biktarvy® | TAF + FTC + BIC | INSTI |
| Triumeq® | ABC + 3TC + DTG | INSTI |
| Dovato® | ABC + DTG | INSTI |
| Stribild® | TDF + FTC + EVG + COBI | INSTI |
| Genvoya® | TAF + FTC + EVG + COBI | INSTI |
For STR
Atripla®
Composition:
This is an NNRTI-based regimen, composing of tenofovir (TDF), emtricitabine (FTC), and the third compound efavirenz (EFV).
General advice:
Advisable to take at night and on empty stomach
Possible side-effects:
Side effects common especially when starting to take HIV medicines. Common ones are giddiness, sleep disturbances, "strange" dreams. May need to monitor lipid and liver functions. May need long-term monitoring of kidney function and bone density.
Complera®
Composition:
This is an NNRTI-based regimen, composing of tenofovir (TDF), emtricitabine (FTC), and the third compound rilpivirine (RPV).
General advice:
Advised to take with food
Possible side-effects:
Side effects not common, but may rarely cause mood changes and liver toxicity. May need long-term monitoring of kidney function and bone density.
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