A non-technical guide to combination therapy

Order print edition | Download PDF (572 Kb).

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.

---

Full section index

Introduction

About this guide, US and UK treatment guidelines. Authors and credits.

What, when, why & other questions

What is combination therapy? How do the drugs work? When to start. Side effects.

• What is combination therapy?
• Do the drugs really work?
• Does everyone need treatment?
• How do the drugs work?
• CD4 count and risk of becoming ill
• Two essential blood tests: CD4 and viral load
• How long will the drugs work?
• Can I take a break in my treatment?
• Does treatment always work?
• Can I change treatments?
• Should I enter a study?
• What about alcohol and recreational drugs?
• What is ‘treatment-naive?
• What else do I need to know?
• Are the drugs a cure?

Age, gender and pregnancy

How do children use HIV treatment, Is age an important factor in adults, Are recommendations the same for men and women, Age, HIV drugs and heart disease,

• How do children use HIV treatment?
• Is age an important factor in adults?
• Are recommendations the same for men and women?
• Age, HIV drugs and heart disease
• What about treatment in pregnancy?

You and your doctor.

Your rights as a patient. Things you can do to help.

Adherence – and why it is so important.

Taking your drugs at the right time in the right way. Tips to help.

Resistance.

What is resistance? How does it occur? How do I avoid resistance?

Which drugs, which combination?.

Choosing a combination. First combination. Different types of HV drugs.

• Starting on efavirenz
• Starting on nevirapine
• Starting on a boosted PI
• Which nukes: Truvada or Kivexa?
• Other nukes: AZT, Combivir and ddI
• Non-standard approaches
• New options in 2009
• Most commonly used first line combinations
• Antiretroviral drugs chart

Adherence diary.

Plan and record your treatment.

Record your treatment history.

Record sheets for your CD4, viral load, side effects and other health information.

Further information

References and links.

Glossary

Words and phrases explained.

Tables and diagrams

Key tables and diagrams on 1 page for ease of reference.

Full section index

---

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
Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor. Information in this guide is intended to support those discussions.

---

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 (572 Kb). Translations. Authors and credits. Glossary. Full section index.