Highly active antiretroviral therapy

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is a treatment regimen used for the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. HAART is a combination of three or more antiretroviral drugs that work together to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease.

History

HAART was introduced in the mid-1990s and marked a significant advancement in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Prior to HAART, treatment options were limited and less effective. The introduction of HAART transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition.

Mechanism of Action

HAART works by targeting different stages of the HIV life cycle. The combination of drugs typically includes:

• Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs): These drugs inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is crucial for the conversion of viral RNA into DNA.
• Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs): These also target the reverse transcriptase enzyme but bind to a different site than NRTIs.
• Protease Inhibitors (PIs): These inhibit the protease enzyme, preventing the maturation of viral particles.
• Integrase Inhibitors: These prevent the integration of viral DNA into the host cell genome.
• Entry Inhibitors: These block the virus from entering host cells.

Benefits

The primary benefit of HAART is the reduction of viral load to undetectable levels, which helps in preserving the immune system and preventing opportunistic infections. It also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

Challenges

Despite its effectiveness, HAART presents several challenges:

• Adherence: Patients must adhere strictly to their medication regimen to prevent drug resistance.
• Side Effects: HAART can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe, including nausea, fatigue, and metabolic changes.
• Drug Resistance: Incomplete adherence can lead to the development of drug-resistant strains of HIV.

Current Research

Ongoing research in HAART focuses on developing new drugs with fewer side effects, long-acting formulations, and strategies to achieve a functional cure for HIV.

Also see

• HIV/AIDS
• Antiretroviral drug
• Opportunistic infection
• Viral load
• Drug resistance