treatment for HIV/AIDS

There are three basic types of treatments available:

treatments used against the HIV virus itself (antiretroviral treatments);
treatments used to stop you getting opportunistic infections (prophylaxis) or to treat them if you get them; and
treatments to relieve or eliminate symptoms associated with HIV disease and the side effects of other treatments.

Antiretroviral treatments aim to reduce the amount of HIV in the body to the lowest level possible and to keep your HIV at a manageable level by preventing the virus from replicating (making copies of itself). Usually a number of different types of drugs are used in combination: some people will respond better to particular drugs, or may get more severe side effects, so the treatment has to be worked out to suit the individual.

Since HIV can affect all parts of the body, each person with the virus can develop a different set of illnesses, infections or symptoms, and will therefore be prescribed a variety of drugs to deal with these. You may also be on a range of other treatments - methadone, oral contraceptives, treatments for illnesses not related to HIV, or drugs to reduce side effects like weight gain or diarrhoea. You will need to find out from your GP or specialist whether these interact with the combination therapies you are on.

The course of HIV infection has been significantly altered by the use of combination antiretroviral therapies and treatments for HIV-related opportunistic illnesses. These days many patients remain well long after infection and achieve a quality of life not previously possible; adherence to treatment is essential given the potential for drug resistance to develop if medication is not taken regularly. However, HIV remains a complex disease and its treatment continues to evolve.

Not a lot is known about how HIV drugs interact with illicit drugs; however, if you continue to use, there are some precautions you can take to minimise potential harm.

Avoid taking HIV drugs and other drugs at exactly the same time; wait at least a couple of hours between doses.
Some HIV drugs (particularly Ritonavir, and possibly other protease inhibitors) may cause dangerous, even fatal interactions with ecstasy, methamphetamine and other amphetamines.
Tell your doctor about your drug use and try to find out about any known interactions.
Drink plenty of water.
Start with a smaller than usual amount of any illicit drug and monitor any unusual responses.
Seek emergency medical help if you experience dizziness, sudden drowsiness, blurred vision, heart palpitations, vomiting or any other severe or unexpected effect.