HIV Treatment Guidelines
What is the DHHS?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is a U.S. government healthcare agency. The DHHS makes recommendations based on advice from a group of HIV experts called the DHHS Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. This panel includes HIV treaters, members of HIV organizations, and public health experts.
What recommendations does the DHHS Panel make?
The Panel makes recommendations on how HIV should be treated, otherwise known as the DHHS Guidelines. These Guidelines change as more is learned about the treatment of HIV and when new meds become available. For example, the Guidelines recommend when healthcare providers should consider starting HIV treatment, which drug combinations are "preferred," "alternative," or "acceptable," and which should be avoided. For patients new to therapy, HIV meds are "preferred," "alternative," or "acceptable" in the guidelines based on a review of clinical trial data that includes:
- Efficacy
- Tolerability
- Ease of use
Adapted from DHHS Guidelines, December 1, 2009. Please see the DHHS Guidelines for additional important information.
† NNRTI = Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
‡ NRTI = Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
§ PI = Protease inhibitor
II INSTI = Integrase strand transfer inhibitor
¶Lamivudine may substitute for emtricitabine or vice versa.
Please see the DHHS Guidelines for alternative options and additional important information.
Please refer to the Full Prescribing Information for each medicine contained in this chart for further dosing information.
Adapted from DHHS Guidelines, December 1, 2009. Please see the DHHS Guidelines for additional important information.
TRUVADA is used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.
TRUVADA does not cure HIV-1 infection or lower your chances of passing HIV-1 to others and must be used as part of combination therapy.
Important Safety Information
Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) or Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) may increase the amount of tenofovir DF (a component of TRUVADA) in your blood, which could result in more side effects. You may need to be followed more carefully if you are taking TRUVADA and Reyataz or Kaletra together. TRUVADA may decrease the amount of Reyataz in your blood. If you are taking TRUVADA and Reyataz together, you should also be taking Norvir (ritonavir).
Next: Have more questions about TRUVADA? View a list of FAQs
Patients should read the Patient Information, including "What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA?". It is important that you discuss your treatment options and any questions that you may have with your healthcare provider.
Please read the Full Prescribing Information for TRUVADA, EMTRIVA, and VIREAD, including Boxed WARNINGS.
Please read the Full Prescribing Information for TRUVADA, ATRIPLA, EMTRIVA, and VIREAD, including Boxed WARNINGS.
*Synovate Healthcare Data; U.S. HIV Monitor, Q3, 2009.