Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

3. Protease inhibitors (PIs): Amprenavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir, andSaquinavirTable 1 Major classes of ARVs and examplesNon-nucleoside reversetranscriptase inhibitorsNucleoside reversetranscriptase inhibitorsor nucleoside analogueProtease inhibitorsGeneric Brand name Generic Brand name Generic Brand nameNevirapine(NVP)Efavirenz(EFV)ViramuneSustiva/DupontDidanosine(ddl)Zidovudine(AZT, ZDV)VidexRetrovirRitonavir(RVT)Saqinavir(SQV)NorvirInviraseFusion inhibitors are a new type of ARV that prevent HIV from binding to the surfaceof the T cell and infecting the T cell. HIV-positive people who have become resistantto PIs, NRTIs, and NNRTIs are likely to benefit from the fusion inhibitors becausethey are a different type of ARV. However, because fusion inhibitors are notincluded in the list of ARVs published by WHO for resource limited settings, they arenot discussed in this session.Each type of ARV is active at different stages of the virus’ replication. Two, three,or more ARVs are generally combined to enhance their efficacy in suppressing thisreplication. This is referred to as combination therapy or highly active antiretroviraltherapy (HAART). During combination therapy, one medication acts in combinationwith another to treat the HIV infection. For example, the action of the antiretroviralZidovudine is enhanced if used in combination with Didanosine or Lamivudine. Thusa person living with HIV/AIDS will most likely take a combination of ARVs rather thanjust one.Like ARVs, anti-fungal drugs, antibiotics, anti-malaria drugs, antihelminthics, anddietary supplements may interact with food. Appropriate dietary responses will berequired during the treatment.• Antifungal drugs such as Nystatin and Nizoral are used to treat thrush.• Antibiotics such as Rifampin and Cotrimoxazole are used to treat bacterialinfections.248