Glossary

ritonavir – a protease inhibitor (PI) that is now used boost levels of some other  HIV drugs, especially other PIs.

substitution therapy – using a prescription drug, eg methadone or buprenorphine, to stop using heroin.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome – see: IRIS

Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC) – the lower level of a drug in the body that will still be effective.

What happens when you take a drug?

antioxidant – a substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen) such as that caused by ‘free radicals’