Introduction
This resource is about changing HIV treatment (ART) because of drug resistance.
This covers about 50 pages online (many of them are short). The PDF booklet is an 8-page summary with links to the online sections.
The information includes:
- When you might need to change ART and why.
- Which tests are used and what the results mean.
- How to choose your next meds.
- How to make sure the next treatment will work.
It includes information about:
- Drug resistance, and
- New drugs and other research.
This 16th edition has been revised and updated throughout.
- ART in the UK is now very effective. Only about 1 in 20 people (5%) need to change their first treatment because it does not work.
- Also, less than 1 in 20 people (5%) who are on stable treatment need to change each year due to resistance.
- Even with drug resistance, most people still have new drugs that will work.
- Fostemsavir and ibalizumab are two recent drugs that can be used if you have drug resistance to all other classes. Lenacapavir is a 6-monthly injection that is also available for emergency use. This is only if you have extensive drug resistance.
This online guide includes detailed information.
A related printed leaflet just includes a summary with links to the website.
The information is based on choices in the UK, Europe and the US.
Information is based on treatment guidelines at this link:
i-base.info/treatment-guidelines
Although choices will be more limited in many other countries, the approach will still be similar.
Changes to this edition
Changes to this edition are based on drug resistance being more rare.
The main changes are about latest drugs and ongoing research.
Last updated: 1 August 2021.