Anti-HIV medications are used to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow the progression of HIV disease. They are also called antiretroviral medications. There are six classes of FDA-approved antiretroviral medications: NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs, entry inhibitors, fusion inhibitors, and integrase inhibitors. The Approved Medications to Treat HIV Infection Fact Sheet lists the FDA-approved antiretroviral medications by class. It also gives other names for the medications and the date they were approved by the FDA.

How many medications will I need to take?

The recommended treatment for HIV is a combination of three or more medications from different classes in a regimen called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). How many pills you will need to take and how often you will take them will depend on what medications you and your doctor choose. Some of the medications are combinations of two or more different anti-HIV medications from one or more classes.

Which medications should I take?

Each HAART regimen is tailored to the individual patient - there is no one "best" regimen. You and your doctor will decide which medications are right for you. For people taking HAART for the first time, the recommended regimens (in alphabetical order) are:

Atripla
Kaletra + Epzicom*
Kaletra + Truvada
Lexiva + Norvir + Epzicom*
Lexiva + Norvir + Truvada
Reyataz + Norvir + Epzicom*
Reyataz + Norvir + Truvada
Sustiva + Epzicom*
Sustiva + Truvada

* For patients who test negative for HLA B*5701.

Are there any other treatment regimens?

Yes, there are several other regimens. Some people may benefit from a regimen other than those listed above. You and your doctor will select a regimen based on your particular needs. In general, taking medications from only one class is not recommended because any decrease in viral load is almost always temporary.

What are some of the negative side effects of HAART?

You may experience negative side effects when you take anti-HIV medications. Some of these side effects and/or drug toxicities are serious, even life-threatening; you may have to change medications due to intolerable side effects . You and your doctor or pharmacist should discuss the side effects of each medication.

Possible side effects of HAART include:

liver problems
diabetes
high cholesterol
high levels of lactate in the blood
abnormal fat distribution (lipodystrophy syndrome)
decreased bone density
skin rash
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
nerve problems
increased bleeding in patients with hemophilia

Side effects that may seem minor, such as fever, nausea, and fatigue, can mean there are serious problems. Always discuss any side effects you are having with your doctor

At present, there is really no known cure for AIDS but there are a variety of treatments that are available to slow down progress of the disease and to give a better life for those who are already inflicted with the diseases.

HAART or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is known to be effective in decreasing the presence of HIV in the blood thus helping the immune system recover from HIV infections.

But even an HIV infected individual is using HAART; it still does not decrease the fact that he or she is a carrier of HIV. The person under HAART medications is still capable of transmitting the disease through unprotected sex, needle sharing or mother to daughter transmission. But it is important that the individual under HAART should regularly take the medications and it means everyday because patient who do not take their HAART medications may become develop resistance to HAART.

When resistance is developing to HAART, the salvage therapy is now used. This is needed to suppress the resistant strain of the HIV. Medications on drug resistant HIV are now available in the market.
But it is important to know that HAART medications also have risks and side effects. Some common side effects are:

nausea
malaise
weakness
headache,
fat accumulation on the back and abdomen

It is important that you talk with your doctor before taking any medication.

Various AIDS treatment are available but these medications are only used to slow down the progress of the virus and to help the patients to cope up with the disease but AIDS treatment are not served to cure the disease as there is really known cure for AIDS.

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART is used to decrease the presence of HIV in the blood and it is use to help the immune system to recover from various infections.

But an HIV infected person who takes HAART is still an HIV positive carrier and it does not decrease the possibility that he or she can infect others if proper care is not observed.

A person under HAART medications can still transmit the disease to others thorough unprotected sex, sharing of needles and if she gets pregnant.

But for those who taking HAART, it is important that they take it regularly because any individuals who do not take HAART regularly may develop resistance to HAART.

When resistance to HAART is developed, another form of medication is used, this time the salvage therapy is used. This is needed to stop the resistant strain to HIV. At present various medications on drug resistant are available in the market.

But any individual who takes HAART medications should be ready on the risks and side effects of the medications.

Some of the side effects of HAART medications are:

1. malaise
2. nausea
3. headache
4. weakness
5. fat accumulated at the back and abdomen

It is important that you discuss to you're the risks before taking any medicines.