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HIV Drug Chart (Overview)
Updated January 2012
The number of drugs available to fight HIV keeps growing. This is good news,
but it can also make it difficult to figure out what’s what. Use this HIV drugs
overview to find basic information on all of the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA)-approved HIV drugs, such as:
Drug name
Drug class
Some of the side effects the drug may have
We have also listed the drug makers and their internet addresses so you can
get more information about each drug and patient assistance. Most companies
have a patient or prescription assistance program (PAP) to help you get a drug
if you have no insurance and can’t afford it. Some companies offer help with
co-payments for those who do have insurance.
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking Emtriva.
Emtriva fights HBV as well as HIV. If you are co-infected with HBV and HIV,
stopping Emtriva may cause your HBV to get worse.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects
Women-Specific Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of NRTIs
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking
Epivir. Epivir fights HBV as well as HIV. If you are co-infected with HBV and
HIV, stopping Epivir may cause your HBV to get worse.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth
defects; short-term use demonstrated to be safe for mothers and infants;
present in breast milk of nursing mothers
Women-Specific Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of NRTIs
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects;
short-term use demonstrated to be safe for mothers and infants; effective at
reducing mother-to-child transmission
Women-Specific Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of NRTIs, especially Retrovir
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking Viread. Viread
fights HBV as well as HIV. If you are co-infected with HBV and HIV, stopping
Viread may cause your HBV to get worse.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects
Women-Specific Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of NRTIs
HLA-B*5701 screening (for hypersensitivity
reaction) is recommended before starting a Ziagen-containing regimen. Studies
do not agree on whether taking Ziagen can increase your risk of heart disease.
If you think you might be at increased risk of heart disease, you should talk
to your health care provider about whether you should take Ziagen.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects
Women-Specific Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of NRTIs
Hypersensitivity (rash, flu-like symptoms, and
sometimes organ problems, including liver failure), Stevens-Johnson syndrome
(severe skin rash accompanied by fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches,
blisters, facial and tongue swelling)
Special Considerations:
Contact your health care provider immediately if symptoms of
severe skin reactions develop
Pregnancy:
No information in human pregnancy
Women-Specific Information:
Women are more likely to experience nausea than men when
taking Intelence
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (severe skin rash accompanied by
fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, facial and tongue swelling),
liver problems (may include yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Special Considerations:
People with low amounts of acid in their stomach
(achlorhydria) should take Rescriptor with a liquid that contains some acid,
like orange or cranberry juice
Severe mood changes (including anxiety, depression, suicidal
thoughts, aggression), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin rash accompanied
by fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, facial and tongue
swelling), liver problems,
lipodystrophy
Special Considerations:
Women who are pregnant or may get pregnant should not use
Sustiva-containing regimens
Pregnancy:
There is evidence of an increased risk of birth defects in
babies born to women who use Sustiva during pregnancy
Women-Specific Information:
Because Sustiva reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about adding a reliable
barrier method of contraception if you take Sustiva
Liver damage,
lipodystrophy, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin rash accompanied by
fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, facial and tongue
swelling)
Special Considerations:
Women with CD4 cell counts greater than 250 (including
pregnant women) and men with CD4 cell counts above 400 at the time of starting
treatment have a higher risk of serious liver damage. Careful dosing and liver
monitoring is needed when starting Viramune.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects. Evidence
suggests that taking a drug regimen including Viramune while pregnant reduces
mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Viramune is present in breast milk.
Women-Specific Information:
Because Viramune reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Viramune. Women taking Viramune are
more likely than men to develop rash, and may also be more likely to develop
liver damage.
Viramune Patient Assistance or 1-800-556-8317
Co-payment assistance - speak to your health care provider about obtaining a
Viramune Co-Pay Savings Card
Liver toxicity, elevated levels of a muscle enzyme called
creatine kinase
Special Considerations:
Should be used with caution by people who are at increased
risk for muscle problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Contact your health
care provider if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or
weakness.
Pregnancy:
No information in human pregnancy
Women-Specific Information:
A recent study conducted by Merck showed Isentress to be safe
and effective in women and blacks
Liver problems,
lipodystrophy,
increased cholesterol and triglycerides, sulfa allergy, high blood sugar,
internal bleeding, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin rash accompanied by
fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, facial and tongue
swelling)
Special Considerations:
Should not be taken by people with moderate-to-severe
hepatitis B or C
Pregnancy:
No information in human pregnancy
Women-Specific Information:
Because Aptivus reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Aptivus. Skin rash is a more common
side effect in women taking birth control pills or hormone replacement
therapy.
Nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, headaches, fatigue, trouble sleeping,
rash, dry or itchy skin, hair loss, back pain
Serious Side Effects:
Kidney stones (drink 8 glasses of water daily to lower risk of
kidney stones), hemolytic
anemia (destruction of red blood cells),
lipodystrophy,
increased cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood sugar, jaundice
(yellowing of the skin and eyes), increased bleeding in people with
hemophilia
Special Considerations:
Do not take Crixivan with grapefruit juice
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased birth defects. There is some concern
about Crixivan’s effect on infant liver health. Use of Crixivan without Norvir
during pregnancy is not recommended.
Women-Specific Information:
Some studies suggest that women taking Crixivan are more
likely than men to develop kidney problems
Another version of this drug called Fortovase was discontinued
in the US in 2006, but is still used in other countries. Invirase is the only
version available in the US.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased birth defects. Evidence shows that
Invirase + Norvir is safe in the short-term for mothers and infants.
Women-Specific Information:
Because Invirase reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Inverase
No evidence of increased birth defects. Evidence shows that
Kaletra is safe in the short-term for mothers and infants.
Women-Specific Information:
Because Kaletra reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Kaletra
Co-payment assistance – speak to your health care provider about obtaining
an Abbott Positive Partnership PLUS Card or call 1-888-458-6442
Lexiva
Brand Name:
Lexiva (Telzir in some countries outside the US)
Other Name(s):
FPV
Generic Name(s):
Fosamprenavir
Class of Drug:
PI
Common Side Effects:
Nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, headaches, rash, numbness or tingling around
the mouth
Serious Side Effects:
Kidney stones (drink 8 glasses of water daily to lower risk of
kidney stones),
lipodystrophy,
increased cholesterol and triglycerides, liver problems, sulfa allergy,
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin rash accompanied by fever, fatigue,
muscle or joint aches, blisters, facial and tongue swelling), increased
bleeding in people with hemophilia, high blood sugar, hemolytic
anemia (destruction of red blood cells)
Special Considerations:
Triglyceride and cholesterol levels should be checked before
starting Lexiva and regularly during treatment. It may be necessary for your
health care provider to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides with other
medications.
Pregnancy:
No information in human pregnancy
Women-Specific Information:
Because Lexiva reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Lexiva
Nausea,
diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headaches, heartburn, fatigue,
weakness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, numbness and tingling around the mouth,
changes in taste
Norvir is most commonly used to boost other drugs. Taking
Norvir with certain allergy medications, sedatives, heart medications, and
migraine medications can increase the risk of their side effects.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects; use only
to boost other HIV drugs
Women-Specific Information:
Some research suggests that women may be more likely than men
to experience side effects when taking Norvir, especially nausea, vomiting,
aches and fatigue, and numbness and tingling around the mouth
Liver problems,
lipodystrophy,
increased cholesterol and triglycerides, sulfa allergy, high blood sugar,
increased bleeding in people with hemophilia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe
skin rash accompanied by fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters,
facial and tongue swelling)
Special Considerations:
Liver function should be tested before starting Prezista.
Increased liver function monitoring is a good idea for people with hepatitis or
other liver problems. Prezista is not recommended for people with severe liver
damage.
Pregnancy:
No information in human pregnancy
Women-Specific Information:
Because Prezista reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Prezista
No evidence of increased birth defects. Evidence shows that
Viracept is safe in the short-term for mothers and infants.
Women-Specific Information:
Because Viracept reduces the levels of some hormonal
contraceptives, talk to your health care provider about changing to or adding
other methods of contraception if you take Viracept. Research suggests that
women taking Viracept are less likely than men to experience diarrhea, but more
likely to experience stomach pain, itching, or rash.
Skin reactions at site of shots (including pain and
discomfort, redness, bumps, itching, swelling, and hardened skin), trouble
sleeping, headaches, loss of appetite,
depression, fatigue, muscle pain, constipation
Serious Side Effects:
Increased risk for bacterial pneumonia,
peripheral neuropathy, pancreas problems, possible rare allergic reaction
(including rash, fever, nausea and
vomiting, chills, shaking, low blood pressure, and increased liver
enzymes)
Same as those for the individual drugs that make up Atripla:
dizziness, trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, drowsiness, nausea, headache,
vomiting, trouble concentrating, rash
Serious
Side Effects:
Lactic acidosis, liver problems,
lipodystrophy, kidney problems, bone problems, severe
depression, strange thoughts, angry behavior, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
(severe skin rash accompanied by fever, fatigue, muscle or joint aches,
blisters, facial and tongue swelling)
Special
Considerations:
Atripla is a one-pill, once-daily drug regimen (it does not
have to be used with other HIV drugs). Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before
taking Atripla. Because Emtriva and Viread also fight HBV, if you are
co-infected with HBV and HIV, stopping Atripla may cause your HBV to get
worse.
Pregnancy:
There is evidence of an increased risk of birth defects in
babies born to women who use Sustiva during pregnancy. Because Sustiva is one
of the drugs that makes up Atripla, women should not take Atripla during
pregnancy.
Women-Specific
Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of the Emtriva and Viread in Atripla
Combivir (Duovir in some countries outside the US)
Other
Name(s):
Retrovir plus Epivir
Generic
Name(s):
Zidovudine (AZT) plus Lamivudine (3TC)
Class
of Drug:
2 NRTIs
Common
Side Effects:
Same as those for the individual drugs that make up Combivir:
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, fatigue, trouble sleeping,
diarrhea, cough, nasal symptoms (like a stuffy nose)
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking Combivir.
Epivir fights HBV as well as HIV. If you are co-infected with HBV and HIV,
stopping Combivir may cause your HBV to get worse.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects;
short-term use of both the Retrovir and Epivir parts of Combivir demonstrated
to be safe for mothers and infants
Women-Specific
Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of NRTIs, especially the Retrovir part of Combivir
Same as those for the individual drugs that make up Complera:
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, loss of appetite, gas, headaches, rash, skin discoloration,
trouble sleeping,
depression, anxiety, dizziness, muscle aches, weakness
Complera is a one-pill, once-daily drug regimen (it does not
have to be used with other HIV drugs). It is only approved for people starting
HIV treatment for the first time. Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before
taking Complera. Emtriva and Viread fight HBV as well as HIV. If you are
co-infected with HBV and HIV, stopping Complera may cause your HBV to get
worse.
Pregnancy:
No information in human pregnancy
Women-Specific
Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of the Emtriva and Viread in Complera
Same as those for the individual drugs that make up Epzicom:
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, trouble sleeping,
depression
Serious
Side Effects:
Hypersensitivity reaction (watch for fever, rash, severe
nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; and cough, sore throat, or difficulty
breathing),
lactic acidosis, liver problems,
lipodystrophy,
peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis
Special
Considerations:
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking Epzicom. Epivir
fights HBV as well as HIV. If you are co-infected with HBV and HIV, stopping
Epzicom may cause your HBV to get worse. HLA-B*5701 screening (for
hypersensitivity reaction) is recommended before starting a Ziagen-containing
regimen. Studies do not agree on whether taking the Ziagen part of Epzicom can
increase your risk of heart disease. If you think you might be at increased
risk of heart disease, you should talk to your health care provider about
whether you should take Epzicom.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects
Women-Specific
Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of the NRTIs Epivir and Ziagen that make up Epzicom
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking Stribild.
Because the Emtriva and Viread in Stribild fight HBV as well as HIV, if you are
co-infected with HBV and HIV, stopping Stribild may cause your HBV to get
worse.
Pregnancy:
While Emtriva and Viread show no evidence of increased
likelihood of birth defects, we have no information on elvitegravir and
cobicistat in human pregnancy
Women-Specific
Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of the 2 NRTIs in Stribild
Same as those for the individual drugs that make up Trizivir:
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, trouble sleeping
Serious
Side Effects:
Hypersensitivity reaction (watch for fever, rash, severe
nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; and cough, sore throat, or difficulty
breathing), liver problems,
lipodystrophy,
peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis, myopathy (muscle pain and weakness),
anemia, neutropenia
Special
Considerations:
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking Trizivir.
Because Epivir also fights HBV, if you are co-infected with HBV and HIV,
stopping Trizivir may cause your HBV to get worse. HLA-B*5701 screening (for
hypersensitivity reaction) is recommended before starting a Ziagen-containing
regimen. Studies do not agree on whether taking the Ziagen part of Trizivir can
increase your risk of heart disease. If you think you might be at increased
risk of heart disease, you should talk to your health care provider about
whether you should take Trizivir.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth defects;
Retrovir, a part of Trizivir, is effective at reducing mother-to-child
transmission.
Women-Specific
Informtion
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of the 3 NRTIs in Trizivir, especially Retrovir
Same as those for the individual drugs that make up Truvada:
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,
diarrhea, gas, rash, headache, weakness, skin discoloration
Get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) before taking
Truvada. Because both drugs fight HBV as well as HIV, if you are co-infected
with HBV and HIV, stopping Truvada may cause your HBV to get worse.
Pregnancy:
No evidence of increased likelihood of birth
defects
Women-Specific
Information:
Women are more likely than men to develop lactic acidosis with
long-term use of the 2 NRTIs in Truvada
Additional Resources Select the links below for additional material related to HIV drugs and Patient Assistance Programs. Project Inform also has a hotline for patient assistance programs and co-payment programs at 800-822-7422.
A Girl Like Me This online blog is a program of The Well Project and a place for HIV+ women to share stories and experiences. Read the stories of HIV+ women ranging from 25 to 59 years old...from Southern California to South Africa...discussing their strengths, their fears, their differences and their similarities.
Information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. It is designed to support, not replace, personal medical care and should never be used as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis, or hands-on treatment. We recommend all medical decisions be made in consultation with your personal health care provider.
