Glossary

BD (or bid) – a short hand term for medication dosing that means ‘twice-daily’.

See also q12H.

IDU – injecting drug user

PT (prothrombin time; pro-time) – PT testing measures the amount of time it takes for blood to clot. When the liver is damaged, its ability to make clotting factors is impaired. If this time increases – referred to as a prolonged PT interval – it shows that the liver is not working so well.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome – a type of severe rash that is luckily rare. This rash has been reported in 0.1–0.3% of people using NNRTIs. It can also occur with other drugs including antibiotics (including cotrimoxazole/Septrin). Any rash on an NNRTI should be shown to your doctor to decide whether treatment needs to be switched or can continue.

IV (intravenous) – injecting into a vein. See SC (sub-cutaneous) and IM (intra-muscular).