HIV is not a sentence today. Patients can safely live with this ailment, work, start a family. All you need to do is regularly undergo therapy using antiretroviral chemotherapy drugs. All these drugs are divided into three classes: HIV protease inhibitors, nucleoside and non-nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
It is worth remembering that antiretroviral drugs cannot completely cure AIDS. Protecting yourself from infection will also fail. Medicines only prevent the reproduction of the virus, contribute to improving the patient's condition. The most commonly used antiretroviral drugs will be described below.
Lamivudine
The agent belongs to the group of nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The antiviral agent penetrates the cells and is metabolized there, thereby inhibiting the replication of viruses. The method of treatment of HIV infection using the drug "Lamivudin" shows high efficiency. The drug is also active against hepatitis B. The drug is quickly absorbed from the digestive tract. An hour after taking the drug, the bioavailability in blood plasma reaches 80%. Communication with plasma proteins is 30%. It is worth considering that the active component easily penetrates the placental barrier.
The drug "Lamivudine" is used to treat HIV in adults and children. Most often, the medicine is used as part of complex therapy (other antiviral drugs for the treatment of HIV are also used). Also, a medication can be prescribed for chronic viral hepatitis B. The drug is not contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. The tool can be used for the treatment of infants. Stop using medication only if there is an increased sensitivity to the components.
Drug interaction
Joint reception of funds "Lamivudin" and "Zimavudin" is possible. It should be borne in mind that the bioavailability of drugs will significantly decrease. It is not recommended to simultaneously use drugs that contain didanosine or sulfanilamine in their composition. Neglect of this recommendation may lead to an exacerbation of pancreatitis. Significantly increases the concentration of the active substance - lamivudine - in the blood, the drug "Trimethoprim".
Therapy is carried out only as prescribed by the doctor. It’s impossible to get Lamivudin medicine in a pharmacy without a prescription. The price of the medication is 3500 rubles. The dosage and treatment regimen are established by a specialist, based on the individual characteristics of the patient's body, as well as the form of the disease.
The drug should be used carefully in case of impaired renal function. The medication can be prescribed by a specialist in the minimum dosage, if the QC is less than 50 ml / min. When developing a treatment regimen, the doctor should take into account that the active component is excreted mainly by the kidneys. For people with impaired liver function, dosage adjustment is not required. With the appearance of such alarming symptoms as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, Lamivudin should be canceled. The specialist examines the patient. Therapy can be resumed only when the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is ruled out.
An effective tool in the treatment of HIV infection is Lamivudine. The price of the drug is relatively low. It is worth remembering that no medication can protect against infection through blood or sexual contact. The medicine cannot be used as a prophylaxis.
Didanosine
The antiviral drug is highly active against HIV. Experts often use the drug "Didanosine." The instruction describes the method of application, indications and dosage. The drug is available in the form of tablets, chewable tablets, capsules. With their help, you can also prepare a suspension. The active ingredient is didanosine. Additionally, substances such as aspartame, magnesium hydroxide, titanium dioxide, sorbitol, calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate and mandarin flavor are used. The tool is available in a dosage of 100, 125, 200 and 400 mg.
Didanosine is a synthetic analogue of the dioxin adenosine nucleoside, inhibits the HIV response in the cells of the body. The bioavailability of the active ingredient reaches 60% one hour after taking the medication inside. A more effective drug will be if it is used one hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. Use together with food products reduces the bioavailability of the active ingredient by 50%. The drug is excreted by the liver and kidneys. Didanosine metabolism directly depends on the degree of impaired renal function.
The drug can only be used in combination with other antiviral drugs to treat HIV infection. The medication is allowed to be prescribed to women during the period of gestation and lactation. Didanosine is not contraindicated for children. The drug is not prescribed only to babies up to three years. It is necessary to cancel the medication if there is an increased sensitivity to the main component. For people with impaired liver function, the drug should be used with caution.
How to take the medicine?
The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body. Antiretroviral therapy can be carried out according to the recommendations specified in the instructions. The daily rate depends on body weight. People whose weight does not exceed 60 kg should take no more than 250 mg of the drug per day. For patients weighing more than 60 kg, the dosage can reach 400 mg. Capsules are taken once a day. They can not be chewed. Drink plenty of water. It is recommended to carry out therapy in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Tablets can also be used to prepare a suspension. All you need to do is dilute the product with a small amount of boiled water. The entire daily rate can be divided into two doses. The prepared suspension cannot be stored for more than an hour. In the evening, the drug should be taken before bedtime, 2 hours after a meal. For children under 5 years of age, the medicine is prescribed only in the form of a suspension.
Patients after 70 years of age are dose adjusted. This is due to the fact that in old age renal function is impaired. The standard daily rate can lead to the development of side effects, such as pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, lactic acidosis. On the part of the gastrointestinal tract, unpleasant phenomena such as dry mouth, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting can develop. If you feel worse, the patient is recommended to consult a specialist. Perhaps the drug will be canceled. The doctor will prescribe a quality substitute ("Timidine" or analogues of "Timidine", "Abacavir", "Lamivudin").
Videx
The active ingredient in this medicine is also didanosine. Antiretroviral drugs from this group are widely used in the treatment of HIV infection. Positive is the fact that the medicine can also be used for babies. For small patients, Videx is prescribed in the form of a powder for the preparation of a suspension. The dosage is calculated individually in accordance with the degree of infection, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body. The drug is not used only if hypersensitivity to didanosine develops.
Antiretroviral therapy is carried out immediately after infection is detected. As a prophylaxis, the drug is not used. The medication has practically no contraindications. Tablets or Videx powder do not cause the development of side effects if the dosage regimen is selected correctly. The medicine should be discontinued if there is a suspicion of the development of pancreatitis.
"Zidovudine"
The antiviral drug is highly active against HIV. The active ingredient is zidovudine. Instructions for use describe excipients. These include pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose. The film membrane consists of titanium dioxide, polydextrose, glyceryl caprylocaprate. The medicine is used as part of combination therapy for HIV-1 infection. During pregnancy, the drug can be used as a prophylaxis of perinatal transmission of the virus from mother to fetus.
The medicine has a number of contraindications. Zidovudine tablets are not prescribed for children, as well as adult patients whose weight does not exceed 30 kg. In rare cases, hypersensitivity to the active component may develop. The drugs are taken orally, regardless of the meal. Those who purchased Zidovudine 300 should use two tablets per day. If the patient's weight exceeds 60 kg, you will have to take 20 mg of the drug twice a day.
Belongs to the group of expensive drugs "Zidovudine." The price of one package of 60 tablets exceeds 10,000 rubles.
Abacavir
The active ingredient in the tablets is abacavira sulfate. The drug is widely used in antiviral therapy for HIV. Additionally, the following components are included in the composition of the tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, iron oxide yellow, polysorbate, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, opadra yellow, triacetin. The medication can only be used as part of combination therapy. “Abacavir” tablets are not prescribed for hypersensitivity to the main component. The drug is contraindicated in small patients whose body weight does not exceed 14 kg. Caution should be given to patients with renal failure.
The dosage of the drug is calculated individually in accordance with the form of infection of the patient. For adults, the average daily rate is 600 mg per day (divided into three doses). The use of tablets in an increased dosage can lead to the development of an allergic reaction.
Also referred to as expensive means "Abacavir". The price of one pack of tablets can exceed 15,000 rubles.
Ziagen
The active ingredient, as in the previous case, is abacavira sulfate. Drugs are analogues and may well replace each other. Means "Ziagen" is effectively used in the complex treatment of HIV infection. The medicine can improve the patient's condition, return to a full life. Tablets have practically no contraindications. The drug is not prescribed only to patients whose weight does not exceed 14 kg.
The daily rate of the drug is determined by the doctor. The form of the disease is taken into account, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient (weight, age). Children whose weight does not exceed 20 kg are prescribed half a tablet twice a day. The daily norm for an adult patient can reach three tablets per day.
Incorrect use of the drug can lead to the development of side effects. You should seek the help of a doctor if symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting develop. These phenomena may indicate pancreatitis. Allergic reactions in the form of a rash and itching are also often observed.
Ziagen tablets may well replace Zidovudine. The price of drugs is practically no different.
Olitide
An antiviral drug has activity against HIV infection. The active ingredient is abacavira sulfate. The medicine is available in powder form for the preparation of a suspension, as well as tablets. Means "Olitid" can be included only in the complex therapy. The medicine itself is not used. The dosage of the medication is determined by the doctor. In the form of tablets, the drug can be used only for patients whose weight exceeds 14 kg. With caution, Olitid tablets are prescribed in old age. This is due to the risk of impaired renal function.
Antiretroviral drugs, including Olitid, are used strictly as directed by a specialist. It will not be possible to purchase medicines in a pharmacy without a prescription.
"Retrovir"
The medicine is widely used as part of HIV complex therapy. After oral administration, the drug is rapidly adsorbed from the digestive tract. The active component easily penetrates the placental barrier. This is taken into account when developing a treatment regimen for pregnant women. The medication can be used as a prevention of occupational HIV infection. This is especially important for laboratory workers who conduct research on contaminated materials.
The dosage of the drug is set individually by the attending physician. The maximum daily intake for adults cannot exceed 600 mg. Experts recommend dividing it into three methods. A more effective remedy will be if you take it on an empty stomach. If any side effects occur, consult a doctor.