A non-technical guide to combination therapy

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This guide is manly written for people starting their HIV combination, and for anyone currently using HIV treatment who was never given support information before they started treatment.

Contents
Introduction: References: UK, European and US treatment guidelines; Changes to this edition; Treatment information phoneline and Q & A service
What is combination therapy?: HIV lifecycle – how drugs work in different ways
Do the drugs really work?: How to check treatment is working; How do the drugs work?; How long will the drugs work?; Goal of treatment
Does everyone need treatment?: Discussing whether you need treatment with your doctor
When should I start treatment?
CD4 count and risk of becoming ill: How are viral load results used?
Are recommendations the same for men and women?: What about treatment in pregnancy?
How do children use HIV treatment?: CD4 count and equivalent CD4% for babies and children by HIV disease category
Is age an important factor in adults?: Age, HIV drugs and heart disease; Heart health risk assessment programmes on the internet
Early and late diagnosis: Early diagnosis and primary infection; Late HIV diagnosis and low CD4s; Tests and research trials for acute HIV infection
What about side effects?: Most common side effects; Lipodystrophy and metabolic changes; Other side effects; Questions to ask your doctor, nurse or HIV pharmacist
What is the best combination?: Can I change treatments?; Can I take a break in my treatment?; What is treatment naive?
Should I enter a trial?
Are the drugs a cure? and other questions: Why do treatments not always work?; Recreational drugs and complementary therapy; Alcohol; What else do I need to know?
You and your doctor: Your rights as a patient; Things you can do to help; Information about the NHS
Adherence – and why it is so important: What is adherence?; How much is enough?; Exactly how close to perfect adherence do you have to get?; Tips to help; What if I forget to take my pills?
Resistance: What is resistance?; How does resistance occur?; How do I avoid resistance?; What is cross-resistance?; What do the letters and numbers in resistance test results mean?; Missing doses, drug levels and resistance; The importance of different viral load levels when on treatment
Which drugs, which combination?: First combination; Types of HIV drugs
Starting on efavirenz (Sustiva)
Starting on nevirapine (Viramune)
Starting on a boosted PI
Which nukes: Truvada or Kivexa?: Tenofovir; Abacavir; Abacavir hypersensitivity reaction
Other nukes: AZT and Combivir; ddI; Triple nuke combinations; Nukes that dont mix
Non-standard approaches
New options in 2008
First-line drugs by class
Most commonly used first line combinations
Antiretroviral drugs chart
Adherence diary
Record your treatment history: CD4 and viral load results; Antiretroviral treatment history; Other infections and illnesses; Side effect and allergies; Immunisation record; Trials and studies; Resistance tests
Further information
Glossary
Tables and diagrams
Help using this guide

If you have and questions...

Treatment information phoneline

Treatment information phoneline
0808 800 6013 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12-4 pm
We run a free phoneline for information and support on all aspects of HIV treatment. Calls are free from UK landlines and Orange network. If calling from outside the UK, please call +44 20 7407 8488.

HIV treatment Q & A service

We can answer your HIV treatment questions online
The website also has a question and answer service where questions can be answered online and by email.
www.i-base.info/questions

Disclaimer
Information in this booklet is not intended to replace information from your doctor or other healthcare workers. Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor.

This is the web edition of the i-Base guide Introduction to combination therapy. This guide is available in UK clinics. You can order free printed copies or download a PDF version (513 Kb). Translations. Authors and credits. Glossary.