Q12H (or q12H) – an abbreviated term for timing medication doses.
q8H means every 8 hours.This is not the same as three times a day (tid or TD).
q12H means every 12 hours. This is not the same as twice-daily (bid or BD).
q24H means every 24 hours. This is not the same as once-daily (qd or QD).
AST (aspartate aminotransferase; also called serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase; SGOT) – an enzyme that is made in many places throughout the body (heart, intestines, muscle) , which is monitored (as with ALT) routinely in HIV-positive people on ARVs to detect liver toxicity from HIV drugs (or other medications). Elevated AST that is specifically made in the liver signals liver injury, but does not indicate how serious liver damage is.
ascites – an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, a sign of serious liver damage in people with hepatitis C.
ETR (end of treatment response) – having an undetectable HCV viral load at the end of HCV treatment. See SVR.
buprenorphine – strong pain-killer useful for treating heroin addiction. See also methadone.