Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Definition

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of a combination of antiretroviral drugs to manage and treat HIV infection. It aims to reduce viral load, improve immune function, and prevent HIV transmission.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ART involves the use of at least three antiretroviral drugs from different classes to prevent drug resistance.
2. The primary goal of ART is to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load, which significantly reduces the risk of HIV-related complications.
3. Common classes of antiretroviral drugs include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs).
4. Patients on ART must adhere strictly to their medication regimen to avoid the development of drug-resistant HIV strains.
5. Regular monitoring through blood tests is essential for patients on ART to assess viral load and CD4 cell counts.

Review Questions

• What are the main goals of antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV?
• Why is it important for patients on ART to adhere strictly to their medication regimen?
• Name two classes of drugs commonly used in antiretroviral therapy.

Related terms

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs): These drugs inhibit the action of reverse transcriptase by mimicking natural nucleotides, thereby preventing viral DNA synthesis.

Protease Inhibitors (PIs): These drugs inhibit the action of protease enzymes, preventing the maturation of infectious viral particles.

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs): These drugs block the integrase enzyme, preventing integration of viral DNA into the host cell genome.