Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): Principles, Drug Classes, Adverse Effects, and Drug Interactions

Overview

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is the cornerstone of HIV treatment, aimed at suppressing viral replication, reducing disease progression, and improving patient outcomes.

Principles of HAART

• Combination Therapy: HAART involves the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs to prevent resistance.
• Adherence: Strict adherence to prescribed regimens is crucial to prevent viral mutations.
• Monitoring: Regular viral load and CD4 count assessments guide treatment decisions.

Drug Classes

• Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (RTIs): Includes NRTIs (e.g., Zidovudine) and NNRTIs (e.g., Efavirenz).
• Protease Inhibitors (PIs): Prevent viral maturation (e.g., Lopinavir).
• Integrase Inhibitors (INSTIs): Block viral integration (e.g., Raltegravir).
• Entry Inhibitors: Prevent viral entry (e.g., Enfuvirtide).

Adverse Effects

Common side effects include nausea, hepatotoxicity, and metabolic abnormalities. Long-term use may lead to cardiovascular risks.

Drug Interactions

HAART drugs can interact with other medications, necessitating careful management. For example, Rifampin reduces PI efficacy.

Conclusion

HAART remains a life-saving intervention in HIV management, with ongoing research enhancing treatment efficacy.