So, this is a very tough topic that I have had a lot of people ask about. Many people look at the drugs and think, "Holy crap, how am I supposed to memorize all that!" However, do not fear! This topic just happens to be my specialty. In general, HIV regimens follow certain rules, so knowing those along with some helpful memorization tips should make it simpler.

TIPS

• Regimen Formula Rule: All of these regimens have to have at least 3 components, except for a some exceptions that have only 2 components (i.e. Dovato and Juluca). The regimen formula typically consists of EITHER an integrase inhibitor (generic drugs ending in -gravir) + 2 NRTIs or 2 NNRTIs; OR a protease inhibitor (generic drugs ending in -navir) + booster (cobicistat or rilpivirine) + 2 NRTIs or 2 NNRTIs. Knowing that formula can be helpful to figure out if a regimen doesn't look right.

• Associate the BRAND name with the major component's drug class - Note that any generic drug names ending with -gravir are integrase inhibitors, and any generic drug names ending in -navir are protease inhibitors: https://aidsetc.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-11/HIV%20Medication%20Chart_August%202022.pdf

• Note all drugs that have boosters (cobicistat or ritonavir) in them. - They ALWAYS have to be taken with food! NO EXCEPTIONS! Also notice that ALL protease inhibitors have to have a booster. Lastly, boosters have A LOT of drug interactions! If you get a question asking which drug has an interaction and you see a booster/protease inhibitor based regimen, it is almost always the answer. Big hint!

• Rilpivirine Products: MUST BE TAKEN WITH FOOD FOR APPROPRIATE ABSORPTION!! NO EXCEPTIONS!! 

• Abacavir Sensitivity: Must have HLA-B*5701 screening BEFORE starting any abacavir products! If positive, DO NOT use any abacavir products!

• Name Memorization Strategy - You only need to recognize the following: brand name, major component (-gravir integrase inhibitor vs. -navir protease inhibitor), and booster (cobicistat or ritonavir) if there is any. Once you have that done, just note whether the drug has NRTIs or NNRTIs (you will just want to recognize what drug belongs to what category for these). 

• Memorizing HIV generic names - https://www.memory-pharm.com/antiretrovirals/

  • YouTube Videos:

    • HIV Therapy - EXTREMELY Easy!!! (Mnemonic for the USMLE) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJnUVGqRdE

    • ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS : Classification with mnemonics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TToDt7_aBLk 

    • Anti-Retrovirals | Mnemonic | Tricks | Mechanism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scNobXqF_UA 

    • ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS SIMPLIFIED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQLRbChcd3c 

• ARV Drug Class Adverse Effects - Once you have all the above done, then memorizing the adverse effects is relatively simple because you would have been able to categorize the drugs by class already. Then all you have to do is know the adverse effects associated with each class: https://www.facebook.com/treathivaids/photos/a.340828459452270/1128778500657258/?type=3

Helpful HIV Resources

• Dirty Medicine - I would watch the video to get a grasp of how each class of drugs work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvIkHbxq7g

• The Best Guide to HIV Drug Names (Cheat Sheet 2019) - https://blogs.jwatch.org/hiv-id-observations/index.php/the-best-guide-to-hiv-drug-names-yours-for-free/2019/11/18/ 

• HIV class table with side effects and counseling: https://www.aidsmap.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/ARV-drugchart-WEBSITE-FINAL.pdf

• HIV Medication Chart: https://aidsetc.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-11/HIV%20Medication%20Chart_August%202022.pdf

• ARV Drug Class Adverse Effects: https://www.facebook.com/treathivaids/photos/a.340828459452270/1128778500657258/?type=3

• ARV Drugs Info: https://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/hiv-drug-chart-overview

• Link to HIV Overview: https://www.tldrpharmacy.com/content/the-ultimate-guide-to-hiv-for-pharmacists

• RULES OF HIV MEDICINE: https://blogs.jwatch.org/hiv-id-observations/index.php/learning-the-names-of-hiv-drugs-is-horribly-difficult-heres-why/2019/11/03/

• HIV/AIDS Treatment Guidelines: https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines