If you are one of the thousands of women infected with HIV, there is hope. There are drugs that 

can treat HIV and help people live longer.

Use this booklet to help you talk to your healthcare provider about the medicines you are taking. 

It provides some basic facts about the anti-HIV medicines that have been approved by the FDA.

HIV and AIDS

Medicines To Help You
HIV Medicines 

This booklet lists the names and some basic facts about the different kinds of 

medicines used to treat HIV. You and your doctor will decide which ones are 

right for you.

J Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) . . . . 6

Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) . 8

Protease Inhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Integrase Inhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Fusion Inhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

CCR5 Antagonists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Combination Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

CYP3A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

HIV/AIDS Information

www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/

HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm117891.htm

Women’s Health Information

www.fda.gov/womens
Quick Facts 

There is a lot you need to know about HIV. Read these quick facts before you 

talk with your health care provider about your HIV treatment.

HIVis the virus that causes AIDS. 

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. 

J HIV makes it hard for your body to fight off sickness. There are 

cells in your blood called “CD4 cells’ or “T cells”. These cells help 

protect your body from disease. HIV kills these cells. 

There are medicines that you can take to slow the build-up of 

HIV and increase the CD4 cells in your body. These medicines 

do not cure HIV. You can still give the disease to someone else. 

The medicines used to treat HIV are called “antiretroviral 

treatment” or ART. There are different kinds of ART medicines.

People with HIV may need to take 3 or more different 

medicines every day. The combination of different HIV medicines 

that you take is called your regimen.

It is important that you take your medicines every day. Do not 

stop taking your medicines without first talking to your health 

care provider.

A pregnant woman with HIV can take medicine to lower 

the chance of giving her baby HIV. Some anti-HIV medicines 

should not be taken during pregnancy because they can 

cause birth defects.
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Questions to Ask Your Doctor 

Talk to your health care provider or HIV counselor to get the facts about 

your medicines. Here are some questions to help you get started. 

What drugs am I taking? When should I take each drug?

Should I take my medicines with food?

Which medicines or herbs (like St. John’s Wort) can affect my HIV 

medicines? 

How should I store my HIV medicines? What about when I am away from 

home or go out of town?

Ask about the Risks and Side Effects

HIV medicines can sometimes cause side effects. Some side effects happen for 

a short time. Other side effects can cause long term health problems. Tell your 

doctor about any side effects you are having. Do not stop taking your medicine 

without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may tell you tips to help 

you cope with the side effects. The doctor may also decide to have you take 

different drugs.

n This booklet does not give the specific side effects and 

warnings for each HIV medicine. 

n

n Check the FDA website to find more HIV drug information: 

Talk to your doctor about the side effects and warnings 

for the medicines you take. 

www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/

HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm118915.htm
g 5 g

My Medicine Schedule 

It is important that you take your HIV medicines exactly as your doctor 

tells you. The medicines may not work correctly if you skip a pill and do 

not adhere to (stick to) your schedule. When you skip pills, it is easier for 

your HIV to become resistant to your medicines. The medicines will stop 

working and more HIV will start to build up in your body. Over time, you 

can get very sick if you do not take your medicines as directed.

Tips to help you remember when to take your HIV 

medicines:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Use a schedule or planner.

Set the alarm on your watch or phone.

Use a pillbox to help organize your pills.

Ask a friend or family member to help you.

Time Drug Name

Dose 

(How many pills) Notes

6:30 XXX (example) 1 Pill Take with food
g 6 g

Brand Name Other Names

Combivir* lamivudine and zidovudine

Emtriva

emtricitabine 

FTC

Epivir lamivudine 

3TC

Epzicom* abacavir and lamivudine

Retrovir zidovudine, AZT, 

azidothymidine, ZDV

Trizivir* abacavir, zidovudine, 

and lamivudine

Truvada* tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and 

emtricitabine

Videx didanosine, ddl, 

dideoxyinosine

Videx EC enteric coated didanosine

Viread tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 

TDF

Zerit stavudine

d4T

Ziagen abacavir sulfate, ABC

* Combivir, Epzicom, Trizivir, and Truvada are combination drugs.

See page 18 for more information.

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors 
g 7 g

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk to your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Do not breastfeed while taking 

these medicines.

n

n

n People with liver problems, including 

hepatitis and people with kidney 

problems, should talk to their doctor 

before taking these medicines.

n

These medicines may cause lactic 

acidosis (too much acid in the blood).

These medicines may cause serious 

liver or pancreas problems.

In some cases, people taking HIV 

Warning Signs

Call your doctor right away if you 

have any of these signs:

n Stomach pain with nausea and 

vomiting 

Feeling very weak or tired 

Problems breathing 

Weakness in arms and legs 

Tingling, numbness, or pain in feet or 

hands 

Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow) 

Pain in the upper or lower stomach 

area 

Common Side Effects 

n Trouble sleeping 

Headache 

Feeling tired 

Upset stomach/ mild nausea 

Vomiting 

Diarrhea 

Dizziness 

Do not feel like eating
g 8 g

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors 

Brand Name Other Names

Edurant rilpivirine

Intelence etravirine

Rescriptor delavirdine

DLV

Sustiva efavirenz

EFV

Viramune nevirapine

NVP

Viramune XR

(extended release)

nevirapine

NVP
g 9 g

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk to your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Do not breastfeed while taking 

these medicines.

n Women with CD4 counts higher 

than 250 should talk to their doctor 

about the risks of taking Viramune 

(nevirapine).

n These medicines may cause serious 

liver problems or severe skin rashes.

n People with liver problems including 

hepatitis and people with kidney 

problems should talk to their doctor 

before taking these medicines.

n In some cases, people taking HIV 

Warning Signs

Call your doctor right away if you 

have any of these signs: 

n Flu-like symptoms

Feeling tired

Do not feel like eating

Dark urine (looks like tea)

Pale stools

Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)

Pain, aches, or sensitivity to touch on 

right side below your ribs

Also call your doctor right away if you have a severe rash along with blisters, 

swelling, pink eye, fever, muscle/joint pain, or mouth sores.

Common Side Effects

n Skin rash

Upset stomach

Dizziness

Depression/changes in your mood

Problems concentrating

Feeling tired

n Vomiting

Trouble sleeping

Headache

Diarrhea

Strange dreams
g 10 g

*Kaletra is a combination drug. See page 18 for more information.

Brand Name Other Names

Aptivus

tipranavir

TPV

Crixivan

indinavir

IDV

Invirase

saquinavir mesylate

SQV

Kaletra*

lopinavir and ritonavir

LPV, RTV

Lexiva

fosamprenavir calcium

FOS-APV

Norvir

ritonavir

RTV

Prezista darunavir

Reyataz

atazanavir sulfate

ATV

Viracept

nelfinavir mesylate

NFV

Protease Inhibitors 
g 11 g

 Protease Inhibitors 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk to your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Do not breastfeed while taking these 

medicines.

These medicines may affect your 

birth control pills or patch. You may 

need to use another method of birth 

control.

Tell your doctor about all medicines 

that you are taking. Protease 

Inhibitors may cause serious health 

problems or death if mixed with other 

medicines.

These medicines may cause serious 

liver problems.

These medicines may cause increased 

bleeding in people with hemophilia.

These medicines may make diabetes 

worse or cause people to get 

diabetes.

Some people taking Protease 

Inhibitors notice large increases in 

their cholesterol (triglycerides).

 In some cases, people taking HIV 

Warning Signs

Call your doctor if you have any of 

these signs:

n Serious skin rash

Feeling very weak or tired

Unusual muscle pain

Trouble breathing

Stomach pain with nausea and 

vomiting

Common Side Effects

n Rash

Diarrhea 

Nausea (upset stomach)

Vomiting

Feeling tired

Headache
g 12 g

Brand Name Other Names

Isentress raltegravir

Tivicay dolutegravir

Vitekta elvitegravir

Integrase Inhibitors 
g 13 g

 Integrase Inhibitors 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk to your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Before you take these medicines, 

tell your doctor if you are pregnant

 or plan to become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while taking 

these medicines.

Tell your doctor about all medicines 

that you are taking. Integrase 

Inhibitors may cause serious health 

problems or death if mixed with 

other medicines.

 In some cases, people taking HIV 

Serious Side Effects

n Serious skin rash 

Liver problems

Common Side Effects

n Diarrhea

Nausea

Feeling tired

Headache

Trouble sleeping
g 14 g

Brand Name Other Names

Fuzeon

This medicine is a shot.

enfuvirtide

T-20

Fusion Inhibitors 
g 15 g

 Fusion Inhibitors 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk to your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Do not breastfeed while taking 

Fuzeon (enfuvirtide). 

People taking Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) 

with other HIV medicines may be 

more likely to get pneumonia. Tell 

your doctor if you have a cough, 

fever, or trouble breathing. 

 In some cases, people taking HIV 

Warning Signs 

Fuzeon may cause serious allergic 

reactions. Call your doctor right away 

if you have any of these signs: 

n Trouble breathing 

Fever with vomiting and a skin rash 

Blood in urine 

Swelling of the feet 

Common Side Effects 

n Itching, redness, pain, bumps, or 

Pain and numbness in feet or legs 

Problems sleeping 

Depression 

Weakness or loss of strength

Muscle pain 

Constipation 
g 16 g

Brand Name Other Names

Selzentry maraviroc

CCR5 Antagonists 
g 17 g

 CCR5 Antagonists 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Do not breastfeed while taking 

Selzentry (maraviroc).

People with liver problems including 

Hepatitis B or C should talk to their 

doctor before taking Selzentry 

(maraviroc).

People with kidney problems or 

heart problems should talk to their 

doctor before taking Selzentry 

(maraviroc).

Tell your doctor if you are taking 

high blood pressure medicines or 

if you have low blood pressure.

Do not drive a car or use heavy 

machinery if you feel dizzy while 

taking Selzentry (maraviroc).

Warning Signs

Call your doctor right away if you 

have any of these signs:

n Itchy rash on your body

Blisters in your mouth or on your skin

Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow) 

Dark urine (looks like tea)

Vomiting and stomach pain

Serious Side Effects

n Serious skin rash 

Liver problems

Common Side Effects

n Cold

Cough

Rash

Fever

Dizziness
g 18 g

Combination Drugs 

Brand Name Other Names

Atripla efavirenz, emtricitabine, and 

tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Complera emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and 

tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Stribild elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, 

and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Triumeq abacavir, dolutegravir, and 

lamivudine

Single Tablet Regimen

You only take 1 pill each day.

Brand Name Other Names

Combivir lamivudine and zidovudine

Epizicom abacavir and lamivudine

Evotaz atazanavir and cobicistat

Kaletra lopinavir and ritonavir

Prezcobix darunavir and cobicistat

Trizivir abacavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine

Truvada tenofovir and emtricitabine

Fixed-dose Combination

You take these combination drugs along with other HIV drugs.
g 19 g

 Combination Drugs 

Combination drugs include two or more different medicines in one pill. Check 

the drug label and talk your doctor about the side effects and warnings for 

the combination HIV drugs you are taking. This guide does not give all of the 

specific side effects or warnings for each drug.

Important Tips 

n Do not breastfeed while taking these medicines.

Do not get pregnant while taking Atripla.

Hormonal forms of birth control (pills, patch, injections, 

vaginal ring or implant) may not work while taking Evotaz. 

Talk to your doctor about other forms of birth control that 

may be used. 
g 20 g

Brand Name Other Names

Tybost cobicistat 

COBI

CYP3A Inhibitors 

This guide does not give all of the specific side effects or warnings for each 

drug. Check the drug label and talk your doctor about the side effects and 

warnings for the HIV medicines you are taking.

Important Tips 

n Before you take this medicine, tell 

your doctor if you are pregnant or 

plan to become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while taking this 

medicine.

Before you take this medicine, tell 

your doctor if you have kidney or 

liver problems.

Serious Side Effects

n New or Worse Kidney Problems, 

Kidney Failure

Common Side Effects

n Skin or Eyes look yellow

Nausea
g 21 g

Pregnancy Exposure Registries are research studies that 

collect information from women who take prescription 

medicines or vaccines during pregnancy.

Pregnancy registries can help women and their doctors 

learn more about how HIV medicines affect women 

during pregnancy.

The FDA does not run pregnancy studies, but it keeps 

a list of all registries. Learn more about the registry for 

HIV medicines at: www.fda.gov/pregnancyregistries

Sign Up for a 

Pregnancy Registry
g 22 g

HIV/AIDS Resources 

n

n

n Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 

n National Institutes of Health (NIH) 

n

AIDS.gov

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/

ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivities/default.htm 

http://hab.hrsa.gov/gethelp/index.html

www.aidsinfo.nih.gov 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

www.cdc.gov/hiv
www.fda.gov/womens
To get other women’s health materials, go to: www.fda.gov/womens

This booklet was developed by the FDA Office of Women’s Health. This booklet should not be 

used in place of talking to your healthcare provider or reading the label for your medicine. The 

drug and risk information may change. Check the FDA website for the latest facts for each 

product listed in this booklet.

2013 TAKE TIME TO CARE... For yourself, for those who need you.