By the guidelines

Based on available evidence, neither UK nor US guidelines recommend nucleoside/nucleotide-only regimens as a preferred option for first-line therapy.

In the US, the triple combination of AZT/3TC/abacavir may be considered only under unusual circumstances where standard NNRTI-based or protease inhibitor-based regimens are particularly problematic due to concerns about adherence, toxicities, or drug interactions (for example, in patients being treated for tuberculosis).

The guidelines allow that AZT/3TC/tenofovir (with or without abacavir) may be another possible fall-back option if NNRTI-based or protease inhibitor-based regimens cannot be used.1 No other NRTI-only combinations are advised.

The latest WHO guidelines do not recommend NRTI-only regimens as preferred first-line or second-line regimens.

References

  1. Gallant Je et al. Early virologic nonresponse to tenofovir, abacavir, and lamivudine in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive subjects. J Infect Dis 192 (11): 1921-1930, 2005
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.