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:

Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs):

Combined NRTIs:

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs):

Protease Inhibitors (PIs):

Fusion or Entry Inhibitors:

Integrase Inhibitors:

1. The patent for AZT has expired and generic versions are available in the US.
2. 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.
3. The patent for ddI has expired and generic versions are available in the US. The manufacturer has discontinued a tablet version.
4. 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.
5. Delavirdine is licensed in US but not UK.
6. Etravirine is approved in the US and the UK for treatment-experienced patients only.
7. 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.
8. Roche Pharmaceuticals have discontinued the sale and distribution of Fortovase brand saquinavir soft gel capsules in the US.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Maraviroc is not licensed as a starting regimen in the UK. The US Department of Health and Human Services do not recommend maraviroc for initial treatment.
12. 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.

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