Author(s): Ayman Bin Abdul Mannan, Halima Habib*
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks immune system of human body. If it is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome) characterized by very weak immune system which cannot fight against ordinary infections and diseases that leads to death. Currently, there is no cure for HIV but many medications and treatments are used to treat HIV patients to delay HIV proliferation and improve complications. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved some of the drugs that show their efficiency at delaying viral multiplication and complexities. These are divided into several different classes according to their mode of action. It is suggested that, any three drugs to be used from at least two classes for initial treatment. Currently, drugs like Tenofovir, emtricitabine, Doravirine, Extravirin, Nevirapine, Rilpivirine, cocktail of drugs (mixture of multiple types of drugs), antiretroviral therapy and some other type of drugs are being used as treatment. Some of the drugs have major side effects. The mode of action, efficacy and side effect of the very recent drugs are discussed here along with their classes. Researchers are working hard and soul to find a treatment method which can surely remove HIV and save millions of lives.
