Types Of HIV Medications

There are six main classes of HIV medications. They are grouped based on how they combat the virus and where in the process they are most effective. The medications used in your treatment regimen will depend in your individual needs as a patient, based on the advice and care of your doctor. A Manhattan, NYC HIV specialist will make sure to take your particular health problems and concerns into account when determining a treatment plan for you based on the different medications available to treat the infection. Learn a little bit more about the six classes of HIV medications designed to effectively treat your condition.

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are the first category. These medications bind to and block HIV reverse transcriptase. This is the process the virus uses to convert its RNA into DNA within your cells. By stopping this process, NNRTIs are able to stop HIV from replicating its own cells. The next classification of medication is the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These medications also block reverse transcriptase and prevent RNA to DNA replication. Protease inhibitors block protease, which is an enzyme. This prevents new HIV from maturing and infecting other CD4 cells (a protein found on the surface of immune cells). Fusion inhibitors block the HIV envelope from merging with the CD4 cell membrane. CCR5 antagonists are meant to block the CCR5 co-receptor from reaching the surface of different types of immune cells which, again, keeps HIV from entering and taking over the cell. HIV uses CCR5 prominently because it will most closely resemble a natural infection, as opposed to HIV replication. Finally, the integrase strand transfer inhibitors block integrase, which is another HIV enzyme. The virus uses this enzyme to transfer its viral DNA into the host cell and taking it over. As with some of the other types of HIV medications, this is designed to prevent HIV replication.

Within these classes of HIV medications, there are different drugs available for each purpose. An immunovirus specialist in Manhattan will make sure you are getting the right medication for your infection and that you are following up with treatment. This is important because as easy as getting HIV medication in Manhattan has become, it’s not as simple to get HIV medication right. Your doctor may have to adjust your dosage or type of medication based on how the virus is responding. Make sure you are bringing any concerns you may have to the doctor’s attention during your follow up appointments. An immunovirus specialist in Manhattan will be able to quell your anxiety and let you know what’s normal or what should be addressed.

• What is HIV?Read More
• Finding an HIV specialistRead More
• Treatment and prevention of HIVRead More