HIV medication: what you need to know right now

If you or someone close to you is starting HIV medication, one fact matters: modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus to undetectable levels and stop transmission. That sounds simple, but choosing the right drugs, taking them properly, and watching for interactions are the parts that make it work in real life.

How HIV drugs work and the main types

HIV meds target different steps of the virus life cycle. Your doctor usually prescribes a combination so the virus can’t escape. Common drug classes you’ll hear about:

- NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) like tenofovir or emtricitabine: they block an enzyme HIV uses to copy itself.

- NNRTIs (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) such as efavirenz: another way to stop that same enzyme.

- PIs (protease inhibitors) like darunavir: stop a later step in making new virus particles.

- INSTIs (integrase strand transfer inhibitors) such as dolutegravir or bictegravir: they prevent the virus from inserting itself into human DNA. These are common in first-line regimens now because they work well and are usually well tolerated.

- Entry and fusion inhibitors are used less often but help when resistance is an issue.

There are also long-acting injectable options now. Talk to your clinician if daily pills are hard to take.

Practical tips: taking meds, side effects, and safety

Take your pills the same time each day. Missing doses raises the risk of resistance. If you have trouble remembering, pair the dose with a daily routine (meal, bedtime, brushing teeth) or use phone reminders.

Side effects vary by drug. Nausea, headache, or sleep changes are common early on and often ease after a few weeks. Some meds affect kidneys, bones, or lipids — your clinic will run blood and urine tests to watch for this.

Drug interactions matter. Antacids, some antibiotics (like rifampin), certain cholesterol medications, and herbal supplements (St. John’s wort) can change HIV drug levels. Always tell every provider and pharmacist you take ART.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and mental health change how some drugs are chosen. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your care team before switching or stopping treatment.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) use similar drugs to prevent infection. They’re prescription-only and work best when started quickly and taken correctly.

Buying meds online? Use licensed pharmacies and require a prescription. Red flags are no prescription requirement, extremely low prices, or vague contact info. Your clinic or national health service can point you to verified suppliers.

Finally, monitor your viral load and CD4 count as recommended. Undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U), but that only applies if you keep taking your meds and stay under care. If anything feels off—side effects, missed doses, or questions—contact your provider. Small problems handled quickly keep treatment working long term.