Tag: Antiretroviral therapy

An undetectable viral load can be achieved in most people within six months of starting HIV treatment. However, the notion of stopping medication after achieving this milestone is a common misconception, leading many to ask: do you have to take Biktarvy forever? The answer for nearly all individuals is a definitive yes, as stopping medication carries severe health risks.

Globally, 77% of people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2024 [1.11.1, 1.11.2]. For those on Biktarvy, a key question is: what happens if you stop Biktarvy? Discontinuation without medical guidance poses significant health risks [1.2.1, 1.3.2].

As of 2023, approximately 77% of all people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally [1.8.4]. For many, this involves a daily regimen, leading to a crucial question for those prescribed specific medications: how long is Biktarvy treatment for managing HIV-1 infection [1.3.1]?

The first reports linking lipodystrophy to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-positive individuals emerged in 1997. This condition, which alters how the body stores and uses fat, can be a challenging side effect for patients, significantly impacting both their physical appearance and metabolic health. Understanding **which drugs cause lipodystrophy** is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients to manage and mitigate its effects.

Antiretroviral (ARV) medication begins working immediately upon the first dose, with many patients seeing a 90% drop in viral load within the first week of starting therapy. While the initial impact is rapid, achieving the long-term goal of a durably undetectable viral load is a gradual process that depends on several factors.

A landmark moment in medical history was the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV, which demonstrated the immense power of a multi drug therapy to transform a fatal illness into a manageable chronic condition. This approach of using multiple medications, often with different mechanisms of action, is now a cornerstone for treating many complex diseases beyond infectious diseases, including certain cancers and chronic conditions like hypertension.

Since its introduction, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV has led to a dramatic 60% to 80% decline in the rates of AIDS, hospitalization, and death, according to early studies. This monumental medical achievement is a prime example of combination therapy, where multiple medications work together to combat a complex disease more effectively than a single drug alone.

While older HIV treatments containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) were more commonly associated with kidney toxicity, **Biktarvy** uses a newer, safer form of tenofovir that significantly reduces this risk. However, like many medications, it is not without risk, and instances of new or worsening kidney problems have been reported.

Nearly all patients (98%) receiving enfuvirtide report at least one injection-site reaction. Understanding how do you administer enfuvirtide correctly is crucial for managing this HIV fusion inhibitor and minimizing side effects.

In 1987, the FDA approved zidovudine (AZT), marking the first antiretroviral drug for HIV/AIDS treatment. While a significant medical breakthrough at the time, its early use was associated with substantial toxicity, leading many to question **what are the side effects of AZT**. Early formulations and dosages led to frequent and sometimes severe adverse reactions, though modern treatment strategies have significantly improved its tolerability.