4. When to change… which drugs?

This section looks at the best time to change ART in different circumstances. 

It also looks at choices for the next combination, including using drugs before they are approved.

These options will depend on your individual HIV history. It also depends on which country you are in.

• When should I change and which drugs can I use?
• How do I choose new drugs?
• General principles
• Cross-resistance by drug class
• When to use new drugs and when to wait?
• Pipeline drugs
• Expanded access drugs
• Non-ARV drugs
• Other treatment strategies
• Intensify treatment
• Using T-20
• Using five or more drugs
• Treatment interruptions
• Drug recycling using viral fitness
• Benefit of staying on treatment using drugs that are still active

Last updated: 1 January 2025.