What Will Be My First HIV Regimen?

There are many variables that impact what drug regimen your doctor will choose for you first. Factors that affect that choice include:

• have you been on meds before
• do you have any resistance to medications
• what is your current CD4 and viral load counts
• are you able to take meds several times each day or do you need a once per day regimen
• are you pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• what other illnesses and conditions do you have?

These are just a few of the factors that impact your doctor's choice. The US Department of Health and Human Services do have recommendations for first-line regimens. They include:

• Sustiva + (Retrovir or Viread) + (Epivir or Emtriva) or

• Kaletra + Retrovir + (Epivir or Emtriva)

Remember, these are only recommendations. Your doctor along with your input will choose a regimen that is right for you.

_{Source: US Department of Health and Human Services' HIV Treatment Guidelines, 2005.}