Archives

insulin – a hormone that helps the body turn sugar into energy. Low insulin sensitivity is when the body uses insulin less well than usual (this is also called insulin resistance).

inhibition (in the liver) – refers to the body processing a drug more slowly by inhibiting (or reducing) the enzymes that clear the drug. This leads to higher drug levels.

induction (in the liver) – refers to the body processing a drug more quickly by inducing (or increasing) more of the enzymes that clear the drug. This leads to lower drug levels.

in-vivo – a study carried out in humans.

in vitro – a study in a test tube. Literally, ‘in glass’.

immune system – the system that your body uses to fight infections.

HIV PCR DNA test – a test that looks for HIV DNA (called integrated HIV) in blood. This is similar to viral load test which usually test for HIV RNA.

Hickman line – a fixed central line that is used to deliver IV drugs close to where they are needed in the body.

HHV-8 – Human Herpes Virus-8. The virus associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). Also called Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).

hepatitis – an infection that causes liver inflammation, usually a virus.

Hodgkins disease (HD) – a type of lymphoma (lymph cancer). Cancer: lymphoma and sarcoma

haemoglobin – substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

half-life (T1/2) the time taken a drug to clear from the highest concentration to half this level. Drugs have different half-lives in different compartments (ie half-life in blood can be different from the half-life inside a cell). It take 5 …

half-life (T1/2) – the time taken a drug to clear from the highest concentration to half this level. Drugs have different half-lives in different compartments (ie half-life in blood can be different from the half-life inside a cell). It take …

INI (integrase inhibitor) – type of HIV drug. Drug targets in the virus life cycle.

varices – extended or swollen veins in the liver that can burst. They can be a complication of cirrhosis.

toxicity – medical word for side effect, the potential harm a drug can cause.

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

steatosis – fatty liver. Build up of fat in the liver. Steatosis worsens liver damage and makes hepatitis C harder to treat.

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