Table 2: First-line Regimens Recommended ARV Regimens for Adults and Adolescents: One of the following should be used unless there are contraindications:
Preferred : • TDF+FTC+EFV = triple FDC • ZDV+3TC+EFV = combivir + EFV • ZDV+3TC+NVP = triple FDC Alternatives: • D4T/3TC/EFV = double FDC (d4T/3TC) + EFV • TDF/3TC/NVP • D4T/3TC/NVP = triple FDC • ABC/3TC/EFV • ABC/3TC/NVP • ABC/3TC/ZDV = combivir + ABC
Table 3: ARV Drugs Dosage First-line antiretroviral drugs dosage Zidovudine (AZT) 300mg every 12 hours Lamivudine (3TC) 150mg every 12 hours or 300 mg once a day Emtracitabine (FTC) 200mg daily Stavudine (d4T) 30mg every 12 hours TDF 300mg daily ABC 300mg every 12 hours Nevirapine (NVP) 200mg daily for the first 2 weeks, followed by 200mg every 12 hours Efavirenz 600mg daily at night
5. Essential steps in baseline assessment, initiation of antiretroviral treatment and follow up of patient Standardized clinical assessment of patients and, when available immunological, are mandatory at baseline to decide on initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Patients who do not qualify for this have a follow up protocol that monitors disease progression and starts antiretroviral therapy before life-threatening immunodeficiency sets in. Patients qualifying for antiretroviral therapy are thoroughly evaluated at baseline and for the rest of their lives to monitor toxicity, intolerance, response or failure to treatment. Before ART initiation and thereafter patient readiness and adherence to therapy are always assessed and necessary support provided. Opportunistic infections including TB, IRIS, 53