back to top Approved antiretroviral drugs
There are currently more than 20 approved antiretroviral drugs in the US and Europe (including combined formulations) and many more in the expanded access programmes and trials.
Most antiretroviral drugs have at least three names. Sometimes a drug is referred to by its research or chemical name, such as AZT. The second name is the generic name for all drugs with the same chemical structure; for example AZT is also known as zidovudine. The third name is the brand name given by the pharmaceutical company; one of the brand names for zidovudine is Retrovir. Lastly, an abbreviation of the common name might sometimes also be used, such as ZDV, which is the fourth name given to zidovudine.
The drugs listed here are those approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This list does not contain new drugs that are currently under development and still in clinical trials, which are covered in our new AIDS drugs page. Further information should be available from your doctor.
Multi-class combinations:
| Combination | Brand name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFV + TDF + FTC | Atripla | Take on an empty stomach | 12-Jul-06 |
| d4T + 3TC + NVP | - | Take with or without food | Tentative only* |
| AZT + 3TC+ NVP | - | Take with or without food | Tentative only* |
| TITLE | TEMP | TEMP | TEMP |
Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs):
| Abbreviation | Generic name | Brand name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3TC | lamivudine | Epivir | Take with or without food | 17-Nov-95 |
| ABC | abacavir | Ziagen | Take with or without food | 17-Dec-98 |
| AZT or ZDV | zidovudine1 | Retrovir | Take with or without food | 19-Mar-87 |
| d4T | stavudine2 | Zerit | Take with or without food | 24-Jun-94 |
| ddI | didanosine3 |
Videx EC |
Take on an empty stomach 30 mins before, or 2 hours after, a meal | 31-Oct-00 |
| FTC | emtricitabine | Emtriva | Take with or without food | 02-Jul-03 |
| TDF | tenofovir | Viread | Take with or without food | 26-Oct-01 |
Combined NRTIs:
| Combination | Brand name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC + 3TC | Epzicom (US) | Take with or without food | 02-Aug-04 |
| Kivexa (Europe) | |||
| ABC + AZT + 3TC | Trizivir4 | Take with or without food | 14-Nov-00 |
| AZT + 3TC | Combivir | Take with or without food | 27-Sep-97 |
| TDF + FTC | Truvada | Take with or without food | 02-Aug-04 |
| d4T + 3TC | - | Take with or without food | Tentative only* |
Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs):
| Abbreviation | Generic name | Brand name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLV | delavirdine5 | Rescriptor |
Take with or without food |
04-Apr-97 |
| EFV | efavirenz | Sustiva (US) | Take on an empty stomach | 17-Sep-98 |
| Stocrin (Europe) | ||||
| ETR | etravirine6 | Intelence |
Take following a meal |
18-Jan-08 |
| NVP | nevirapine | Viramune | Take with or without food | 21-Jun-96 |
|
|
rilpivirine7 | Edurant |
Take with food |
20-May-11 |
Protease Inhibitors (PIs):
| Abbreviation | Generic name | Brand name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APV | amprenavir | Agenerase | Take with or without food; avoid high-fat meals | 15-Apr-99 |
| FOS-APV | fosamprenavir | Lexiva (US) | Take with or without food | 20-Oct-03 |
| Telzir (Europe) | ||||
| ATV | atazanavir8 | Reyataz | Take with food | 20-Jun-03 |
| DRV | darunavir | Prezista | Take with food | 23-Jun-06 |
| IDV | indinavir | Crixivan |
Take on an empty stomach 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, a
meal. Avoid taking within an hour of taking didanosine (ddI
or Videx) |
13-Mar-96 |
| LPV/RTV | lopinavir + ritonavir | Kaletra9 | Some formulations should be taken with food | 15-Sep-00 |
| Aluvia (developing world) | ||||
| NFV | nelfinavir | Viracept | Take with food | 14-Mar-97 |
| RTV | ritonavir | Norvir |
Take with food if possible |
01-Mar-96 |
| SQV | saquinavir | Invirase (hard gel capsule)10 | Take within two hours of food | 06-Dec-95 |
| TPV | tipranavir11 | Aptivus | Take with or without food | 22-Jun-05 |
Fusion or Entry Inhibitors:
| Abbreviation | Generic name | Brand Name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-20 | enfuvirtide12 | Fuzeon | Must be prepared from a powder and injected into thigh, arm or abdomen | 13-Mar-03 |
| MVC | maraviroc13 | Celsentri (Europe) | Take with or without food | 18-Sep-07 |
| Selzentry (US) |
Integrase Inhibitors:
| Abbreviation | Generic name | Brand Name | Food restrictions and notes | Date of FDA approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAL | raltegravir14 | Isentress | Take with or without food | 12-Oct-07 |
- The patent for AZT has expired and generic versions are available in the US.
- Stavudine is no longer recommended for initial therapy in the UK. The US Department of Health and Human Services also no longer recommend stavudine as a ‘preferred’ or ‘alternative’ component in initial treatment. The European Medicines Agency recommend that it should only be used when there are "no appropriate alternatives" and only for "as short a time as possible".
- The patent for ddI has expired and generic versions are available in the US. The manufacturer has discontinued a tablet version.
- The British HIV Association (BHIVA) recommends that Trizivir "should only be considered as a starting regimen in very occasional circumstances, for example informed patient choice based on likely poor adherence if alternative options are used, or concomitant medication needed such as for TB". Trizivir is listed as a ‘possible’ treatment option in the US, but it is not the ‘preferred’ treatment option.
- Delavirdine is licensed in the US but not in the UK.
- Etravirine is approved in the US and the UK for treatment-experienced patients only.
- Rilpivirine is licensed in the US but not the UK.
- Atazanavir is not licensed as a starting regimen in the UK. In the US, ritonavir-boosted atazanavir has been approved as a ‘preferred’ initial treatment, while unboosted atazanavir is an ‘alternative’ for initial treatment.
- Due to reported adverse health events such as serious heart, kidney or breathing problems in premature babies taking Kaletra, the FDA issued the following warning in March 2011: "The use of Kaletra oral solution should be avoided in premature babies until 14 days after their due date, or in full-term babies younger than 14 days of age unless a healthcare professional believes that the benefit of using Kaletra oral solution to treat HIV infection immediately after birth outweighs the potential risks". For more information: 'Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir): Label change - serious health problems in premature babies'.
- Roche Pharmaceuticals have discontinued the sale and distribution of Fortovase brand saquinavir soft gel capsules in the US.
- Tipranavir is not licensed as a starting regimen in the UK. The US Department of Health and Human Services do not recommend tipranavir for initial treatment.
- Enfuvirtide is not licensed as a starting regimen in the UK. The US Department of Health and Human Services do not recommend enfuvirtide for initial treatment.
- Maraviroc is not licensed as a starting regimen in the UK.
- Raltegravir is not licensed as a starting regimen in the UK.
* Because of patent laws, generic forms given tentative approval are available in certain developing countries only.
Where Next?
AVERT.org has more about:
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy back to top
www.avert.org is an information resource to be used for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice and we recommend that all decisions about your treatment or products you wish to use should be discussed thoroughly and frankly with your doctor.
