Strategies for first line HIV therapy

May 2008     View PDF     En español

The best starting combination

What is the best combination for people starting therapy?
The question of what combination of HIV drugs a person should use as first line therapy can appear confusing. However, there are a few factors to consider which narrow the range of choices for first line therapy. They include:

• its potency;
• its ease of use: how many pills and how often; and
• its potential for short- and long-term side effects.

The Guidelines list the following combinations as “preferred” first line regimens. This is because research shows that they are potent, well tolerated and easy to take. They also list alternatives that have less data to support their use as first line treatment, but may work just as well.

Federal recommendations for first line therapy
(updated january 2008)