Approved Medications to Treat HIV Infection
Anti-HIV (also called antiretroviral) medications are used to
control the reproduction of the virus and to slow the progression of
HIV-related disease. Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is
the recommended treatment for HIV infection. HAART combines three or
more anti-HIV medications in a daily regimen. Anti-HIV medications
do not cure HIV infection and individuals taking these medications
can still transmit HIV to others.

Anti-HIV medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) fall into four classes:

Class Generic Name Brand and Other Names Manufacturer FDA Approval
Date
Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
NNRTIs bind to and disable reverse transcriptase, a protein that HIV
needs to make more copies of itself.
Delavirdine
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Rescriptor, DLV
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Pfizer
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April 4, 1997
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Efavirenz
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Sustiva, EFV
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Bristol-Myers Squibb
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September 17, 1998
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Nevirapine
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Viramune, NVP
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Boehringer Ingelheim
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June 21, 1996
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Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
NRTIs are faulty versions of building blocks that HIV needs to make
more copies of itself. When HIV uses an NRTI instead of a normal
building block, reproduction of the virus is stalled.
Abacavir
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Ziagen, ABC
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GlaxoSmithKline
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December 17, 1998
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Abacavir, Lamivudine
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Epzicom
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GlaxoSmithKline
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August 2, 2004
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Abacavir, Lamivudine, Zidovudine
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Trizivir
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GlaxoSmithKline
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November 14, 2000
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Didanosine
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Videx, ddI
Videx EC
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Bristol-Myers Squibb
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October 9, 1991
October 31, 2000
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Emtricitabine
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Emtriva, FTC, Coviracil
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Gilead Sciences
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July 2, 2003
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Emtricitabine, Tenofovir DF
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Truvada
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Gilead Sciences
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August 2, 2004
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Lamivudine
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Epivir, 3TC
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GlaxoSmithKline
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November 17, 1995
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Lamivudine, Zidovudine
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Combivir
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GlaxoSmithKline
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September 27, 1997
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Stavudine
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Zerit, d4T
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Bristol-Myers Squibb
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June 24, 1994
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Tenofovir DF
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Viread, TDF
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Gilead Sciences
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October 26, 2001
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Zalcitabine
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Hivid, ddC
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Hoffman-La Roche
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June 19, 1992
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Zidovudine
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Retrovir, AZT, ZDV
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GlaxoSmithKline
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March 19, 1987
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Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
PIs disable protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies
of itself.
Amprenavir
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Agenerase, APV
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GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
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April 15, 1999
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Atazanavir
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Reyataz, ATV
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Bristol-Myers Squibb
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June 20, 2003
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Fosamprenavir
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Lexiva, FPV
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GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
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October 20, 2003
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Indinavir
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Crixivan, IDV
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Merck
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March 13, 1996
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Lopinavir, Ritonavir
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Kaletra, LPV/r
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Abbott Laboratories
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September 15, 2000
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Nelfinavir
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Viracept, NFV
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Agouron Pharmaceuticals
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March 14, 1997
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Ritonavir
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Norvir, RTV
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Abbott Laboratories
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March 1, 1996
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Saquinavir
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Fortovase, SQV
Invirase
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Hoffman-La Roche
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November 7, 1997
December 6, 1995
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Fusion Inhibitors
Fusion Inhibitors prevent HIV entry into cells.
Enfuvirtide
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