Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): What You Need to Know

Antiretroviral therapy changed HIV care. Today, many people on ART live long, healthy lives when they take medicines every day. If you or someone you care for is starting ART, the basics below will help you understand how the drugs work, what to watch for, and how to get meds safely online.

Common drug classes and examples

ART combines drugs from different classes so the virus can't copy itself easily. The main classes are:

- NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors): tenofovir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, abacavir.
- NNRTIs (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors): efavirenz, rilpivirine.
- PIs (protease inhibitors): darunavir, boosted with ritonavir or cobicistat.
- INSTIs (integrase strand transfer inhibitors): dolutegravir, raltegravir.

Most modern first-line regimens include an INSTI plus two NRTIs because they work well and tend to have fewer side effects. Your clinician will pick a regimen based on viral load, other health conditions, and possible drug interactions.

Practical tips for taking ART and buying meds safely

Take ART exactly as prescribed. Missed doses can let the virus become resistant, and resistant HIV is harder to treat. Use these simple tricks: set a phone alarm, use a pill box, or pair doses with daily routines like brushing your teeth.

Watch for side effects in the first few weeks—nausea, headache, fatigue, or diarrhea are common. Most side effects ease with time. If you get rash, severe stomach pain, jaundice, or breathing problems, contact your provider right away.

Drug interactions matter. Acid-reducing meds can lower levels of some drugs like rilpivirine. Protease inhibitors interact with certain statins and St. John's wort. Always tell every provider and pharmacist what you take, including supplements.

Monitoring is simple: viral load tests show whether ART is working. Goals are an undetectable viral load and stable or rising CD4 counts. If the virus stays detectable, your doctor may change your regimen or check for adherence issues.

If you buy ART online, use a licensed pharmacy. Look for a valid prescription requirement, clear contact info, and a licensed pharmacist you can reach. Avoid sites that sell without prescriptions or offer suspiciously low prices. Keep medicines in original packaging, store them as labeled, and check expiration dates.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and coexisting illnesses change drug choices. Pregnant people need regimens proven safe in pregnancy. For prevention, know the difference: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) prevents HIV; PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is short-term after potential exposure. Both use antiretroviral drugs but with different rules.

Bottom line: ART works if you stick with it and stay in care. Ask your clinic about side effect plans, lab schedules, and safe ways to refill meds online. If anything feels off—call your provider. Getting help early keeps treatment on track.