Lamivudine
Uses
Lamivudine is used together with other anti-retroviral medicines in the treatment of HIV-1 infection and chronic hepatitis b virus (HBV) infection.
How it Works
Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue, it works by destroying CD4 helper cells and stopping the HIV virus from spreading.It blocks the action of the Reverse Transcriptase enzyme which helps the virus replicate, this results in destroying the viral HIV chain
Common Side effects
Patients who take Lamivudine may suffer from such side effects;
Fatigue,
Headache,
Insomnia,
Dyspepsia,
Nausea,
Cramps and Abdominal pain,
Dizziness,
Ear and/or Nasal infection,
Sore throat,
Skin rash,
Muscle pain,
Fever,
Chills,
Diarrhoea
Nevirapine
Uses
Nevirapine is used in the treatment to suppress the HIV virus and preventing it from infecting the immune system in the body
How it Works
Nevirapine is not recomended to be used on its own, this is because that the virus can become rapidly resistant to treatment if monotherapy is used. Nevirapine as a NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) blocks the activity of the reverse transcriptase (RT) viral enzyme by biding to the NNRTI pocket on the enzyme. this directly interferes with the enzymes ability to replicate the HIV virus DNA material thus slowing down the virus from spreading. Nevirapine helps kepping the level of HIV virus as low as possible which minimizes the chance of developing AIDS in patients
Common Side effects
Patients who take Nevirapine may suffer from such side effects;
Rash,
Headache,
Stiff muscles,
Decrease in granulocyte count,
Vomiting,
Allergic reaction,
Nausea,
Abdominal pain,
Fatigue,
Fever,
Increased liver enzymes,
Diarrhoea
Stavudine
Uses
Stavudine is an anti-retroviral medicine, used in the treatment to suppress the HIV virus and preventing it from infecting the immune system in the body
How it Works
Stavudine slows the progress of HIV infection, but it is not a cure. Stavudine is a NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) which is given for a short period of time, when other NNRTI's are not suitable. Stavudine is usually taken with 3 or more other anti-retroviral medicines at the same time as a combination therapy. Stavudine as an NNRTI directly interferes with the enzymes ability to replicate the HIV virus DNA material thus slowing down the virus from spreading and keeping it at bay
Common Side effects
Patients who take Stavudine may suffer from such side effects;
Fatigue,
Vomiting,
Headache,
Muscle pain,
Nausea,
Unusual weight loss or gain,
Dizziness