Question
Can I use Fuzeon (T-20) as my anti-HIV treatment in the first place?
28 February 2011. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Starting treatment.
Hello doctor，
I live in China and was diagnosed of HIV recently. I haven’t started use any antiretroviral medication yet. I heared Fuzeon (T-20) is a very good drug and it helps stop HIV from attacking healthy cells. Can I use T-20 as my treatment in the first place instead of traditional antiretroviral medication?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I should point out before I answer that we are not doctors but HIV treatment advocates.
I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. T-20 is a good drug but there are drugs that are better as first line treatments. Do you have any resistance to HIV drugs? T-20 is only used in people who have extensive drug resistance. Because of the inconvenience of a twice-daily injection, T-20 is rarely used for first combinations.
For more information about T-20 please follow this link
You would have to use this drug at the same time as other HIV treatments to avoid developing resistance. T-20 should not be taken alone as a HIV treatment.
For more information on starting treatment please follow this link to the i-Base Introduction to Combination Therapy guidebook.
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