Glossary
ADAP
The AIDS Drug Assistance Programs ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS who are uninsured and under-insured have access to medication.
Antiretroviral Drugs
HIV drugs are classified by how they prevent the virus from replicating based on its lifecycle.
Antiretroviral Therapy
A standard therapy of at least three antiretroviral drugs in two classes to control HIV and protect the immune system. Each drug acts on a different stage of the HIV lifecycle.
Entry / Fusion Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent HIV from entering CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell, and keep the virus from multiplying.
Federal Poverty
Federal Poverty Guidelines/Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Each year, poverty guidelines are released by the Department of Health and Human Services to help determine eligibility for various federal programs. More information, along with current guidelines, can be found on the DHHS website.
Formulary
Specific drugs approved for prescription based on insurance policy and clinical guidelines such as efficacy, safety, cost-effectiveness, side effects, and dose.
Integrase Inhibitors
Drugs that block integrase, the enzyme HIV uses to insert its genetic code into CD4 cells, preventing the virus from replicating.
Long-Acting Injectable medications (LAIs)
Medications that are designed to either prevent the transmission of or treat HIV over an extended period of time. These medications can be used to replace daily oral medications.
NNRTIs
Non-Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors are drugs that block the enzyme HIV needs to thrive (for people resistant to NRTIs).
NRTIs
Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors are drugs that block the enzyme that allows HIV to infect human cells.
Opportunistic Infections
(OIs) Viruses, bacteria, or parasites that have no effect on healthy immune systems pose threats to people with compromised immune systems. OIs are the most common cause of death for people with HIV/AIDS and present life-threatening risk when CD4 count is below 200 cells/mm3.
Protease Inhibitors
(PIs) Drugs that prevent HIV from properly using the enzyme protease, resulting in non-infectious virus copies.
Ryan White
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The largest Federal healthcare funding program focused exclusively on filling the gaps in HIV/AIDS care not covered by other funding sources for individuals living with HIV/AIDS without health insurance, with insufficient healthcare coverage, or lack financial resources for HIV disease care. Part B of the Ryan White CARE Act provides funding for ADAP.