Understanding HIV Therapy
Knowing how HIV therapy works is important and can help you understand the need to take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This section will review some of the basics around HIV and HIV meds, including why missing doses can be so dangerous.
How HIV meds help fight the virus
A key goal of anti-HIV drugs is to help stop HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) from reproducing. HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system, which is made up of millions of cells that help fight against infection and disease.
Once HIV enters the body, the virus infects CD4 cells and multiplies (replicates) inside these cells. These new viruses are released into the blood and go on to infect other CD4 cells. As CD4 cells are attacked and destroyed by HIV, the immune system becomes less able to fight infection and disease.
How HIV meds work
Anti-HIV drugs work by helping to stop or "inhibit" certain steps during the HIV replication process. When used in combination, anti-HIV therapies can help reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load). To learn why it's important to take a combination of HIV meds, click here.
Next: Learn about key goals of HIV therapy
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.