Antiretroviral Drug Classes

Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors that block HIV reverse transcriptase needed for viral replication.

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors that bind directly to and inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase by a different mechanism.

Drugs that block the HIV protease enzyme, preventing the virus from making infectious particles.

Inhibit the HIV integrase enzyme, preventing viral genetic material integration into host cells.

Prevent HIV from entering host cells by blocking viral attachment or fusion.

An enzyme needed for HIV to make a DNA copy of its RNA.

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, a combination drug regimen for HIV.

Enzyme that HIV uses to process its proteins into functional pieces, needed to produce infectious virus.

MDR and XDR TB need second-line agents like fluoroquinolones, injectable drugs, and reserve drugs for at least 18-24 months.

Amphotericin B plus flucytosine are the first-line drugs. Maintenance with fluconazole is also needed.

Acyclovir is the first-line drug for chickenpox and shingles; oral acyclovir or valacyclovir are commonly used. Intravenous acyclovir for severe cases; early treatment is key.

Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir reduce symptoms and viral shedding. Episodic or suppressive therapy may be needed.

Topical agents (nystatin, clotrimazole) for mucosal; oral azoles (fluconazole) for systemic infections. Suppressive therapy may be needed.

Antibiotics (azithromycin or doxycycline) are used to treat the bacterial infection. Prompt treatment is crucial.

Ceftriaxone is the recommended treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea. Dual therapy is no longer used due to resistance.

Isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide for 2 months (intensive), followed by isoniazid and rifampin for 4 more months.

Requires special considerations for drug interactions and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

A crucial method to monitor adherence and prevent resistance in TB treatment.

Potential adverse effects from using different drugs together, need careful monitoring.

Recommended monotherapy for uncomplicated gonorrhea.

Antibiotic used for chlamydia and historically part of gonorrhea treatment, but not in current recommended treatment regime.

Potential inflammatory reaction related to immune system strengthening after antiviral use.

Drugs that stop HIV from replicating by blocking an enzyme crucial for its life cycle.

A combination of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV.

Enzyme system that metabolizes many drugs, including PIs.

Using a low dose of ritonavir to increase levels of other PIs.

HIV fusion inhibitor preventing viral entry into cells.

Drug that stops the virus from fusing with the host cell.

CCR5 co-receptor inhibitor that blocks HIV entry.

Taking antiretrovirals to reduce risk of contracting HIV before exposure.

Taking antiretrovirals within 72 hours of HIV exposure to reduce infection risk.

Opportunistic fungal infection; a serious risk for immunocompromised individuals.

First-line treatment for PCP.

Serious opportunistic infection causing damage to the eye in immunocompromised individuals.

First line therapy for CMV retinitis, either IV or oral.

Infections caused by bacteria with multi-drug regimens.

There's no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral medications like acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir can help manage the infection. These drugs reduce viral shedding, shorten outbreaks, and decrease recurrence frequency. They can be taken episodically during outbreaks or daily as suppressive therapy, which significantly reduces transmission risk. Severe or complicated cases may require intravenous acyclovir.

NGU is an inflammatory condition of the urethra caused by organisms other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Common culprits include Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. Diagnosis involves urethral discharge and polymorphonuclear leukocytes on microscopy, with a negative gonorrhea test.

Doxycycline is the first-line antibiotic for uncomplicated NGU. The standard regimen is 100mg twice daily for 7 days. For patients who can't take doxycycline, azithromycin is an alternative. Sexual partners should be evaluated and treated to prevent reinfection. Abstinence from sexual activity for 7 days after treatment initiation is advised.

PID is an infection of the reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics to cover a broad range of potential pathogens.

The CDC recommends a single dose of intramuscular ceftriaxone plus 14 days of oral doxycycline, with or without metronidazole for outpatient treatment. Severe cases may require inpatient intravenous antibiotics. Sexual partners should be treated. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications like infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.

This is an inflammation of the epididymis, often caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea, particularly in men under 35. Treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics to cover both infections.

The CDC recommends ceftriaxone 500mg intramuscularly once plus doxycycline 100mg orally twice daily for 10 days. For those engaging in insertive anal intercourse, levofloxacin 500mg orally once daily for 10 days is added. Analgesics, scrotal support, and abstinence from sexual activity until treatment completion are advised. Prompt treatment helps prevent complications like abscess formation or infertility.

The preferred treatment for sexually acquired proctitis is a combination of antibiotics to cover potential causative organisms like Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, and herpes simplex virus. The recommended regimen is ceftriaxone plus doxycycline. Prolonged antibiotic courses are required for cases with bloody discharge and positive chlamydia tests. Treatment for herpes simplex virus should also be considered if perianal ulcers are present.

For all sexually transmitted infections, it is crucial to evaluate and treat all sexual partners to prevent reinfection. Prompt treatment is generally recommended to prevent complications and ensure better outcomes. Consistent condom use during sexual activity is important to reduce transmission risk.

A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, progressing through stages if untreated: primary with painless chancre sore, secondary with skin rashes and flu-like symptoms, latent with no visible symptoms, and tertiary with potentially destructive long-term complications.

Penicillin G is the recommended treatment, with dosage based on the stage of the disease. Alternatives like doxycycline may be used for early stages with penicillin allergy, but desensitization is preferred for neurosyphilis or pregnancy.

A common vaginal infection characterized by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis, leading to a thin, grayish, malodorous discharge, elevated vaginal pH, and clue cells on microscopy.

A sexually transmitted infection caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, primarily affecting the urogenital tract, causing vaginitis in women and urethritis in men, often asymptomatic.

Metronidazole is the recommended treatment for both men and women, with dose variations based on gender. Tinidazole is an alternative. Alcohol should be avoided due to a disulfiram-like reaction.

A chronic, lifelong viral infection primarily caused by HSV-2, causing painful blisters or ulcers on the genitals, with possible fever and lymph node swelling during initial infection.

Syphilis progresses through distinct stages if untreated: Primary with a painless chancre sore, Secondary with skin rashes and flu-like symptoms, Latent without visible symptoms, and Tertiary with potentially destructive long-term complications.

A process to gradually introduce penicillin to a patient with severe allergy, allowing them to receive the necessary treatment for syphilis, especially in cases of neurosyphilis or pregnancy.

Vaginal epithelial cells covered in bacteria, indicative of bacterial vaginosis, observed under microscopy.

An adverse reaction to alcohol consumption during metronidazole or tinidazole treatment for trichomoniasis, potentially leading to nausea, vomiting, flushing, and headache.

Bacterial vaginosis without noticeable symptoms, potentially still requiring treatment or follow-up to prevent complications.

Follow-up testing after treatment, crucial to confirm the effectiveness of therapy and identify persistent or recurrent infections, as in trichomoniasis.

The release of herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles from infected cells, even in the absence of symptoms, contributing to transmission.