Medicines for AIDS 519
ART Combinations for adults and adolescents (not for children)
Combination 1
Medicines
• zidovudine (AZT)
• lamivudine (3TC)
• nevirapine (NVP)
Combination 2
Medicines
• tenofovir (TDF)
• lamivudine (3TC)
• nevirapine (NVP)
Combination 3
Medicines
• zidovudine (AZT)
• lamivudine (3TC)
• efavirenz (EFV)
Combination 4
Medicines
• tenofovir (TDF)
• lamivudine (3TC)
• efavirenz (EFV)
Dose
Warnings and side effects Advantages
250 to 300 mg
2 times a day
Anemia
Low white blood count
150 mg 2 times a day, or
300 mg once a day
200 mg once a day for
14 days, then 200 mg
2 times a day
Skin rash
Liver problems
• Most widely used and
available
• S afe for pregnant
women
Dose
Warnings and side effects Advantages
300 mg once a day
Can cause kidney problems
Must be over 18 to use
150 mg 2 times a day, or
300 mg once a day
200 mg once a day for
14 days, then 200 mg
2 times a day
Skin rash
Liver problems
• Fewer side effects
• Safe for preganant
women
• P referred combination
for women with HIV
and hepatitis B
Dose
Warnings and side effects Advantages
250 to 300 mg
2 times a day
Anemia
Low white blood count
150 mg 2 times a day, or
300 mg once a day
600 mg once a day
Should not be started
in first 3 months of
pregnancy; good after
3 months of pregnancy
• Preferred combination
if on rifampicin for TB
Dose
Warnings and side effects Advantages
300 mg once a day
Can cause kidney problems
Must be over 18 to use
150 mg 2 times a day, or
300 mg once a day
600 mg once a day
Should not be started in
first 3 months of pregnancy;
good after 3 months of
preganancy
• M ay be available as one
pill, taken once daily
• P referred combination
if on rifampicin for TB
• Preferred combination
for women with HIV
and hepatitis B
IMPORTANT Many people still take stavudine instead of zidovudine in Combinations 1 and 3.
If you use stavudine, take the lower dose of 30 mg twice daily. See ‘changes in drugs’, page 518.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012