Glossary
Adherence
Closely following (adhering to) a prescribed treatment regimen. This includes taking the correct dose of a drug at the correct time, exactly as prescribed.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
The most severe stage of HIV infection, diagnosed when the immune system is severely weakened. If you are infected with HIV and your CD4 count drops below 200 cells/mm3, or if you develop an AIDS-defining condition (an illness that is very unusual in someone who is not infected with HIV), you have AIDS.
AIDS Service Organization (ASO)
A health association, support agency or other service actively involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Antiretroviral Drug
A medication used to interfere with the ability of a retrovirus, such as HIV, to make copies of itself.
CD4 Cell/CD4 Cell Count
CD4 cells are also called T-cells or T-helper cells. They are white blood cells that fight infection. A CD4 cell count is the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood. HIV destroys CD4 cells. This can cause the CD4 cell count to go down.
Clinical Study
A research study that uses human volunteers to answer specific health questions.
Combination HIV Therapy
See definition for HAART.
Cross Resistance
HIV cross-resistance occurs when the virus has changed (mutated) in such a way that it loses its susceptibility to other HIV medications in that class.
Dose
The recommended amount of a med to be taken.
Drug Class
Drugs with similar design and method of fighting HIV. The current classes of anti-HIV drugs are: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), entry/fusion inhibitors and integrase inhibitors.
Drug Interaction
A change that can occur when one medication (drug) is taken with another medication. Possible changes include new or increased side effects, differences in the medication’s activity or how it is processed in the body.
Entry/Fusion Inhibitors
Entry/fusion inhibitors work by blocking HIV entry into cells.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
A government agency that is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety and efficacy of medicines, medical devices and foods.
Flare-up
When a disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before.
HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy)
The name given to treatment regimens that aggressively suppress the ability of HIV to make copies of itself, which can help slow the progression of HIV disease. The usual HAART regimen combines three or more different meds from at least two different classes.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
The virus that causes hepatitis B, an inflammation of the liver that can lead to liver damage and liver cancer.
Hepatotoxicity
A general term for liver damage that can include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, unusual tiredness or weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and unusual swelling or weight gain.
HIV (HIV-1)
HIV - Human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS.
HIV-1 - The HIV type responsible for the majority of HIV infections worldwide.
Immune System
The body's defense system to fight off infections and other diseases. Cells of your immune system are attacked and destroyed by HIV.
Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs)
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors disable integrase, a protein that HIV uses to insert its viral genetic material into the genetic material of an infected cell.
Lactic Acidosis
A condition caused by a buildup of a waste product called lactate in the blood. Symptoms may include stomach problems (nausea and vomiting), breathing or muscle problems, and general weakness. Severe, untreated lactic acidosis can be life threatening.
Mutation
In HIV, a change in the virus that can occur when it does not make copies of itself correctly. This change may result in a virus that cannot be controlled with certain medications.
Nausea
Upset stomach with an urge to vomit.
Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
NNRTIs bind to and disable reverse transcriptase, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.
Nucleoside Analog
See definition for NRTI.
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
NRTIs are faulty versions of building blocks that HIV needs to make more copies of itself. When HIV uses an NRTI instead of a normal building block, reproduction of the virus is stalled.
Opportunistic Infections
An illness that occurs because of a weakened immune system.
Prescribing Information
Also referred to as the package insert, product label or product information, this document is the primary reference for information about a prescription drug. The prescribing information is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
PIs disable protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.
Regimen
Refers to the combination of meds you take to treat your HIV infection.
Replication
The process by which HIV makes a copy of itself, or reproduces.
Resistance
When HIV mutates (or changes form) resulting in a virus that cannot be controlled with certain HIV meds.
Reverse Transcriptase
A type of protein, called an enzyme, found in HIV. It is needed for HIV to make more copies of itself. Some anti-HIV drugs interfere with this enzyme.
Side Effects
Reactions caused by a drug in a person’s body other than what the drug was designed to do (for example, nausea from a drug that is taken to treat HIV).
Treatment Failure
When anti-HIV medications do not adequately control the HIV infection, often resulting in increases in viral load and decreases in CD4 cell counts.
Treatment Naïve
Description for people who have never been treated with drugs for HIV.
Undetectable
When HIV is still present in the blood, but at such low levels that it cannot be detected using existing viral load tests.
Viral Load
The amount of HIV virus in a sample of blood. Healthcare practitioners use the viral load to monitor HIV.
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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.