Glossary

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

EBD (event-based dosing) – a term for taking medicines only at times linked to a relevant event.

EDD is also called “on-demand dosing”.

For example, EBD for PrEP (to prevent HIV transmission) involves taking PrEP before sex and then for several days after sex. EBD for PrEP is only appropriate in some situations and for some people – otherwise daily dosing is recommended.

• Event-based oral dosing (2:1:1 or 2:7)
• Real-life examples for on-demand dosing
• Daily PrEP dosing

nucleus – the central part of some cells that contains DNA.

pharmacist – a medical professional who specialises in sourcing and dispensing drugs. A pharmacist should be an expert in drug interactions, and on exactly how drugs should be taken.

reverse transcriptase – an enzyme unique to HIV. It is used to convert single-strand RNA into double-strand DNA. This is needed before HIV’s genetic material can be integrated in the human DNA. HIV drugs that stop this process are called reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs).