Glossary

thrombocytopenia – a low platelet count (platelets help stop bleeding by clotting blood).

ribavirin – drug used to boost the efficacy of pegylated interferon to treat hepatitis C. Given as twice-daily capsules.

mega-HAART – a term for a drug combination that uses five or more HIV drugs, usually including 2–3 protease inhibitors. Rarely used now.

lipodystrophy – body fat changes, including fat loss (from arms, legs, buttocks and face) and/or fat gain (in abdomen, breasts and shoulders). The lipodystrophy syndrome also includes metabolic changes in lipid and glucose metabolism.

preclinical refers to the early development stage for a new drug, before any testing on humans. This includes they laboratory and animal tests. Preclinical studies will not always show what will happen when people use the drugs, but can provide a guide to serious problems that could occur.