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Aciclovir (Zovirax) is a licensed nucleoside analogue drug for treating herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It is sometimes referred
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Adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera) is a licensed treatment for hepatitis B and a failed treatment for HIV.
Adefovir was previously called bis-POM PMEA and GS 840.
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Albendazole is an antibiotic that is being studied as a treatment for microsporidiosis. It is approved in the United Kingdom for the treatment of intestinal
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Alcohol is a drug that is produced by natural fermentation mechanisms. It is legally available in the United Kingdom from licensed outlets to people aged
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Alefacept is an immunosuppressive drug that is used to treat moderate to severe forms of the skin disease plaque psoriasis. It is marketed in the
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Amikacin is an approved antibiotic used for treating severe bacterial infections. In the test tube it is active against Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) organisms and
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Amitriptyline hydrochloride is an antidepressant drug. It is available as a generic (non-branded) product.
Low-dose amitriptyline can also be used to treat the pain caused by
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Amphotericin (Fungilin/Fungizone/Abelcet/AmBisome/Amphocil) or amphotericin B is an anti-fungal drug. It is an artificial version of a naturally occurring compound produced by the fungus Streptomyces nodosus.
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Ampicillin is a form of penicillin which is approved for the treatment of urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, Salmonella and gonorrhoea.
Its side-effects can
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Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone, which promote the formation of lean body mass, skeletal muscle and masculine sexual characteristics in
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Aspirin is a widely used pain-relieving, fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory drug. It is also known as acetylsalicylic acid. It is available over the counter from chemists
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Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin that can reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’) cholesterol in the blood. This can reduce the risk
-
Atovaquone (Wellvone) is an anti-protozoal drug, which is approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people who cannot take standard
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Azithromycin (Zithromax) is an antibiotic that belongs to the macrolide class of drugs. It is licensed for treating respiratory tract infections, infections of the middle
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Bleomycin is an approved anti-cancer drug which appears to work by fragmenting DNA. It is active, alone or in combination, against a wide spectrum of
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Buprenorphine (BuTrans / Temgesic / Transtec) is an opioid drug that is used both as a painkiller and as a treatment for addiction to opioid
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Bupropion (Zyban ) is a drug which has been licensed for use as an aid to quitting smoking.
It is taken as a two-month
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Cannabis or marijuana is an illegal drug derived from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. It is smoked, eaten or drunk in tea. Cannabis
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Capreomycin (Capastat) is an antibiotic that is active against certain strains of tuberculosis. It is used in combination with other anti-tuberculosis drugs. It is manufactured
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Capsaicin (Axsain / Zacin) is an approved cream used for the temporary relief of pain due to by peripheral neuropathy, which can be caused by
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Carbamazepine is a commonly used anti-convulsant drug used for treating seizures such as epilepsy and manic depression. It is related chemically to tricyclic antidepressants, and
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Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid. Chemical variations of carnitine include L-acetyl carnitine and acetyl L-carnitine (LAC) and L-carnitine.
L-carnitine suppresses the production of tumour
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Caspofungin (Cancidas) is an anti-fungal drug approved for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in immunosuppressed adults who do not tolerate or do not respond to
-
Chloroquine (Avloclor / Malarivon / Nivaquine) is an anti-malaria drug, which some experts have advocated as a low-cost treatment for HIV for use in developing
-
CHOP is a four-drug chemotherapy regimen including cyclophosphamide (Endoxana), doxorubicin, vincristine (Oncovin) and prednisolone. It is used in the treatment of several cancers including lymphoma.
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Ciclosporin (Neoral / Sandimmun) is a powerful immunosuppressive drug. It acts by inhibiting T-helper cell functions and blocking production of the cytokine interleukin-2. Ciclosporin is
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Cidofovir (Vistide) is an antiviral drug, which is used to treat a range of different viruses. It comes either as a liquid for intravenous injection
-
Ciprofloxacin (Ciproxin / Ciloxan) is an antibiotic that is approved for treating several common bacterial infections. It is being tested in combination with other drugs
-
Clarithromycin (Clarosip / Klaricid / Klaricid XL) is an approved antibiotic for use in combination with other drugs for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium intracellulare
-
Clindamycin (Dalacin C) is an approved antibiotic that has been investigated as an alternative treatment for toxoplasmosis and Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), often in combination with
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Clofazimine is an approved oral treatment for leprosy. It is being tested in combination with other drugs as a treatment for MAI. In test-tube studies
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Clotrimazole (Canesten) is an approved anti-fungal drug. It comes in the form of a cream, a solution or a lozenge. It is manufactured by Bayer
-
Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that is made from the leaves of the South American coca shrub. It comes in the form of a
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Codeine phosphate is an opioid drug that is used as a painkiller. It is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. It is usually taken
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COMP is an anti-cancer chemotherapy regime consisting of the drugs cyclophosphamide (Endoxana), vincristine(Oncovin), methotrexate (Maxtrex) and prednisolone. It is sometimes used for the treatment of
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Corticosteroids are a group of approved immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs. They can be administered in either oral or intravenous forms, or are inhaled as a
-
Cotrimoxazole (Septrin) is an approved antibiotic that consists of a mixture of two drugs, trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. Both drugs prevent bacteria from reproducing by preventing
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Cyclophosphamide is an approved anti-cancer drug which is active, alone or in combination, against a wide spectrum of tumours. It is being tested as a
-
Cycloserine is a tablet-form anti-mycobacterial drug, which is used in combination with other drugs for treating multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. Its side-effects can include mood disturbances, headache,
-
Cytarabine is an approved anti-cancer drug used mainly in combination with other agents for the treatment of a form of cancer called acute myeloblastic leukaemia.
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Dacarbazine is an approved anti-cancer drug, which is used frequently in combination with other drugs for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and Hodgkin’s disease.
It comes
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Dapsone is an approved oral antibiotic drug. It can be used in combination with trimethoprim for treating Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), and may be used as
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Daunorubicin is an anti-cancer drug with considerable side-effects, including damage to the heart.
Liposomal daunorubicin, a form of the drug in which the drug is
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Diamorphine hydrochloride is an opiate drug with extremely powerful pain-killing properties. It a chemical derivative of morphine, with increased solubility and more complete and rapid
-
Diclofenac (Voltarol / Voltarol Rapid / Diclomax SR / Diclomax Retard / Motifene 75 mg / Voltarol 75 mg SR / Voltarol Retard) is a
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Dihydrocodeine tartrate (DF 118 Forte / DHC Continus) is an opioid drug that is used as a painkiller. It is used to relieve moderate to
-
Doxorubicin hydrochloride is an approved anti-cancer drug, which is injected into a vein. It has significant side-effects.
Doxorubicin is thought to act by binding to DNA
-
Ecstasy is an illegal drug whose chemical name is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is an artificial derivative of amphetamine, having first been manufactured in 1912.
Ecstasy induces
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Entecavir is a nucleoside analogue drug (a guanosine analogue) used as an antiviral treatment for hepatitis B. As entecavir was originally thought to have selective
-
Information on epoetin alfa and beta, or erythropoietin, and its role in treating anaemia in HIV-positive patients.
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Erythromycin (Erymax / Erythrocin / Erythroped / Erythroped A) is an antibiotic drug that is often used in patients who are allergic to penicillin. It
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Ethambutol hydrochloride is an approved anti-mycobacterial antibiotic used in combination with other drugs for treating tuberculosis. It is also being tested in combination with other
-
Etoposide (Etopophos / Vepesid) is an approved anti-cancer drug. It is used in combination with other drugs to treat a range of cancers including small
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Ezetimibe (Ezetrol) is a cholesterol-lowering drug that acts by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. It is used alone or in combination with statin
-
Famciclovir (Famvir) is a nucleoside analogue drug that is approved for the treatment of shingles (varicella zoster virus) and herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.
-
Fenofibrate (Lipantil / Supralip 160) is a fibrate that is used to treat elevations in triglyceride levels in the blood. It can also improve levels
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Fluconazole (Diflucan) is an approved anti-fungal drug. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a main component in the fungal cell membrane.
Fluconazole is manufactured
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Flucytosine (Ancotil) is one of the older anti-fungal drugs. It is sometimes used alongside amphotericin (Fungilin / Fungizone) for treating severe candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis or
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Fluorouracil is an approved anti-cancer drug that works by preventing cell division. In its intravenous formulation it is used to treat a number of tumours
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Fluoxetine (Prozac) is an approved antidepressant drug. It is manufactured by Dista Products, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Co. Ltd.
Fluoxetine works by prolonging the
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Supplements of folate are prescribed to many symptomatic HIV-positive people due to deficiencies caused by a range of treatment drugs and by malabsorption in the
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Folinic acid is an approved drug used to protect against the side-effects of folate antagonist drugs such as trimetrexate. Cells that absorb folinic acid are
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Fomivirsen, previously known as ISIS 2922, is an approved second-line treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis that is injected into the eye. Technically, it is known
-
Information on foscarnet (Foscavir), including dosing, side-effects and drug interactions.
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Gabapentin (Neurontin) was developed as an anti-epilepsy drug, but is now more commonly used to treat pain, particularly pain due to nerve damage (neuropathy). It
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Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is an illegal drug, as well as a naturally-occurring chemical in the brain. It is used medically as a general
-
Ganciclovir (Cymevene) is an anti-cytomegalovirus drug that works by inhibiting DNA polymerase. It can prevent cytomegalovirus from reproducing and infecting new cells, but it cannot
-
Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for at least five thousand years. The Greeks and Romans used raw garlic as an antibiotic, to cure
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Gentamicin is a powerful intravenous antibiotic used for treating septicaemia, meningitis and other serious infections.
Researchers have produced an experimental form of gentamicin in which the
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Glutamine or L-glutamine is a precursor of glutathione, an amino acid and anti-oxidant that occurs naturally in the body. It is used in the growth
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Hormonal contraception is the most effective method of controlling fertility in women.
Combined hormonal contraceptives including an oestrogen and a progestogen are the most effective for
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Information on human growth hormone, including its role in treating wasting and a possible effect of increasing CD4 cell counts in patients on antiretroviral therapy.
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Hypericin is a substance derived from the herb Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St John’s wort or goatweed.
Herbal preparations of St John’s wort at a
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Ibuprofen (Brufen / Brufen Retard / Fenbid) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat pain and inflammation. It is particularly useful
-
Imatinib (Glivec) is an anti-cancer drug that is licensed for the treatment of types of blood cancers, including leukaemia, and gastrointestinal and other tumours. It
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Imiquimod (Aldara) is a drug that stimulates the immune system to produce interferon alfa, a natural chemical that helps the body to fight viruses. It
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Interferon alfa is a natural protein produced by the human body in response to infection. It has some direct antiviral effects and stimulates the immune
-
Information on interleukin-2 (IL-2), including its availability and its potential role in increasing CD4 cell counts in HIV-positive patients.
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Irinotecan hydrochloride (Campto) is an anti-cancer drug that is mainly used to treat bowel cancer, usually in combination with other anti-cancer drugs. It works by
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Iron is important for immunity, but at certain times too much iron may be counter-productive. During an acute infection, iron is removed from the blood
-
Isoniazid is an approved antibiotic, which, in combination with other drugs, is the standard treatment for tuberculosis. In the United States, it is also commonly
-
Itraconazole (Sporanox) is an anti-fungal drug. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a main component in the fungal cell membrane. It is related
-
Ketamine (Ketalar) is a licensed anaesthetic that is commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. It is also used in small doses as a painkiller,
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Ketoconazole (Nizoral) is an approved anti-fungal drug. It works primarily by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a main component in the fungal cell membrane. It
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Lomustine is an approved anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas. It comes in capsule-form. Its main side-effect is bone
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Loperamide hydrochloride (Imodium) is an anti-diarrhoea drug. It works by inhibiting the activity of the muscles in the gut wall, increasing the time that substances
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mBACOD is the abbreviated name for a combination of chemotherapy drugs. It consists of methotrexate (Maxtrex), bleomycin (Bleo-Kyowa), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide (Endoxana), vincristine (Oncovin) and
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Megestrol acetate (Megace) is a progesterone - a female sex hormone. It is an approved drug for the treatment of several forms of cancer. In
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Metformin hydrochoride (Glucophage / Glucophage SR) is an anti-diabetes drug. It is particularly useful in treating diabetes in patients with insulin resistance and obesity.
Metformin can
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Methadone hydrochloride (Methadose) is a synthetic opioid drug that is used to treat chronic pain and addiction to heroin and related drugs.
It works by stimulating
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Methamphetamine is an illegal drug that is commonly known as ‘crystal meth’. Although primarily used recreationally, it is occasionally prescribed medically for patients with attention-deficit
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Methotrexate is an approved anti-cancer drug which inhibits DNA synthesis. It is active against a wide range of tumours and is also used to treat
-
Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin / Concerta XL / Equasym XL) is a stimulant drug related to amphetamine that is approved in the United States for the
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Metronidazole (Flagyl / Flagyl S / Metrolyl) is an anti-microbial drug that is highly active against a wide range of bacteria and protozoa. It is
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Mitozantrone is an intravenous anti-cancer drug approved for the treatment of leukaemia. It is being studied as a treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma.Side-effects can
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MOPP is a combination of intravenous anti-cancer drugs consisting of mustine (nitrogen mustard), vincristine (Oncovin), procarbazine and prednisolone. It is used in the treatment of
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Morphine (Oramorph / Sevredol / Morcap SR / Morphegesic SR / MST Continus / MXL / Zomorph) is an extremely powerful painkilling drug that is
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N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an anti-oxidant molecule that can absorb free radicals within the body. Free radicals are highly reactive, damaging chemicals that are produced
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Naltrexone is a drug used in the treatment of opiate addiction. It reduces the craving for opiates by blocking opiate receptors throughout the body. Naltrexone
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Nimodipine is an approved drug for preventing certain neurological problems in people who have experienced a brain haemorrhage. It is being studied as a treatment
-
Nystatin (Nystan / Nystaform / Tinaderm-M) is an anti-fungal agent approved for the treatment of candidiasis. It can be also be used to prevent candidiasis
-
Octreotide (Sandostatin) is an approved drug that is used to treat two rare forms of intestinal cancer. It is a synthetic peptide, which mimics the
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Ofloxacin (Tarivid) is an approved antibiotic that is used for the treatment of a variety of common bacterial infections. It may be useful in combination
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Omeprazole (Losec) is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to reduce stomach acid levels. It is used to treat indigestion, stomach ulcers and acid
-
Paclitaxel (Taxol) is an intravenous anti-cancer drug that is approved for the treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma that has been unresponsive to first-line treatment. It
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Paracetamol is a common painkilling and anti-fever drug. It is an extremely effective drug that is used to relieve fever, headache and other aches and
-
Paromomycin is an antibiotic, which is licensed in the United States for treating intestinal amoebiasis and giardiasis. It is not marketed in the United Kingdom,
-
Pentamidine isetionate (Pentacarinat) is an approved anti-fungal and anti-protozoal drug used for the treatment and prevention of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). It can be administered by
-
Pioglitazone (Actos) is a diabetes drug. It works by improving a patient’s response to the hormone insulin. It is manufactured by Takeda and Eli Lilly.
In
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Phenytoin (Epanutin) is an approved anti-convulsant drug that is used for the treatment of epilepsy. It comes in the form of tablets or a liquid
-
Posaconazole (Noxafil) is an anti-fungal drug that can be used to treat a wide range of fungal infections. It is available as an oral suspension
-
Pravastatin sodium (Lipostat) is a statin that can lower cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is
-
Pregabalin (Lyrica) is an anti-seizure drug that can be used to prevent fits, as well as in the treatment of pain caused by nerve damage
-
Primaquine is a tablet-form antibiotic that is sometimes used in combination with clindamycin as a treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). It is also used for
-
Procaine HCI is an experimental, immune-modulating drug designed to reduce levels of the stress causing hormone called cortisol. Known by the trade name Anticort, the
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Procarbazine is an approved oral anti-cancer drug used primarily as part of the MOPP regimen in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease. It inhibits DNA, RNA
-
PRO-MACE / MOPP is a chemotherapy regimen consisting of courses of prednisolone, methotrexate (Maxtrex; with folinic acid rescue), doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (Endoxana), etoposide (Etopophos / Vepesid),
-
Pyrazinamide is an approved oral anti-tuberculosis drug used in combination regimens. It is used to prevent and to treat tuberculosis.
Side-effects include hepatitis, gastrointestinal upsets, rash
-
Pyrimethamine (Daraprim) is an approved antibiotic used in combination with a sulphonamide drug such as sulfadoxine for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. It also has anti-malarial
-
Ranitidine (Zantac) is a histamine H2-blocker, which inhibits stomach acid production. It is used to treat stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease (heartburn). It is
-
Retinoic acid is a derivative of vitamin A. Two treatment forms of retinoic acid have been developed - all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoic acid.
All-trans
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Ribavirin (Copegus / Rebetol / Virazole) is an antiviral drug that is active against a range of viruses. It is an approved and effective treatment
-
Rifabutin (Mycobutin) is an antibiotic drug used for the treatment and prevention of Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) and tuberculosis. It is manufactured by Pfizer.
Rifabutin is
-
Rifampicin (Rifadin / Rimactane) is an approved anti-mycobacterial drug that is a standard component of combination regimens for treating tuberculosis. In the United States, it
-
Rifapentine is an anti-mycobacterial drug that was approved in the United States as a treatment for tuberculosis in 1998. Rifapentine should be taken in combination
-
Rituximab (MabThera) is an artificial antibody that recognises and binds to the CD20 receptor on the surface of B-cells. It is used as a treatment
-
Rosiglitazone (Avandia) is an anti-diabetes drug that works by re-sensitising the body to the hormone insulin. It is usually used in patients who do not
-
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a statin that can reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’) cholesterol in the blood. This can reduce the risk
-
Selenium is an important mineral and antioxidant, which has several functions in the human body. As an antioxidant, it is crucial in protecting healthy cells
-
Sildenafil (Viagra) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat impotence. It is produced by Pfizer.
One 50mg tablet of sildenafil is usually taken from
-
Simvastatin (Zocor) is a statin that can reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’) cholesterol in the blood. This can reduce the risk
-
Streptomycin was the first effective anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug to be discovered. It is now rarely used for treating TB, except in the case of strains
-
Sulfadiazine is an approved antibiotic for treating meningococcal meningitis. For people with HIV it is most commonly used in combination with pyrimethamine (Daraprim) for treating
-
Tadalafil (Cialis) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat impotence. It is manufactured by Eli Lilly. The standard dose is 10mg at least
-
Total parenteral nutrition is a method of supplying nutritional supplements by intravenous infusion. It is only used for people with severely compromised bowel function who
-
Tramadol hydrochloride (Tramake Insts / Zamadol / Zydol / Dromadol SR / Larapam SR / Zamadol 24hr / Zamadol SR / Zydol SR / Zydol
-
Trimethoprim (Monotrim) is an approved antibiotic, which is used most frequently in conjunction with sulfamethoxazole in the form of the drug cotrimoxazole (Septrin). Cotrimoxazole is
-
Trimetrexate is an antimicrobial drug that has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people who are intolerant of
-
Valaciclovir (Valtrex) is an anti-viral drug. It is a pro-drug of aciclovir (Zovirax), meaning that it is broken down into aciclovir within the body. Valaciclovir
-
Valganciclovir (Valcyte) is an anti-viral drug that is used to treat cytomegalovirus. It is a pro-drug of ganciclovir (Cyemevene), meaning that it is broken down
-
Valproic acid (Depakote) is an anti-convulsant and mood stabilising drug, which is used to control epilepsy and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It can also be
-
Vardenafil (Levitra) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that is used to treat impotence. It is manufactured by Bayer and marketed as Levitra, except for in Italy,
-
Vinblastine sulphate (Velbe) is an intravenous anti-cancer drug derived from the periwinkle plant. It is being studied for the treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma,
-
Vincristine sulphate (Oncovin) is an intravenous anti-cancer drug derived from the periwinkle plant. It is thought to interfere with cell division. It is being studied
-
Vitamin A is a micronutrient which is present in some food and is necessary for normal human function. It is present at relatively high levels
-
Alcohol consumption interferes with the absorption and storage of this vitamin, which is essential in the formation and maintenance of muscle and efficient use of
-
Several studies have shown low levels of vitamin B12 in HIV-positive people. It is unclear whether low vitamin B12 levels influence HIV disease progression,
-
Vitamin B2 is an essential building block for glutathione, a key anti-oxidant. Deficiency symptoms include cracking at the corner of the mouth and on the
-
Vitamin B6 is essential for the formation of new cells and for maintaining immunity. Studies in animals show a range of immune defects when
-
Vitamin C is a micronutrient which is present in some food and is necessary for normal human function. A severe deficiency of vitamin C causes
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There is limited and conflicting evidence about this vitamin. Some research suggests that high levels of vitamin D may actually have an immune suppressive effect
-
Vitamin E is an important anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that is often deficient in HIV-positive people. Vitamin E is necessary to ensure the optimum functioning of
-
Voriconazole (Vfend) is an anti-fungal drug produced by Pfizer. It is an effective treatment for aspergillosis for people who have failed to respond to other anti-fungal
-
Zinc is an important anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mineral which plays a key role in immune functions. An adequate level of zinc improves resistance to
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