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Searching the AIDSinfo Drug Database

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  • Drugs in the Database
  • Correct Spelling?
  • Brand Name vs. Generic Name
  • Search By Drug Name
  • Search By Drug Class
  • Search By Drug Type
  • Drugs in the Database

    The AIDSinfo Drug Database provides HIV/AIDS drug fact sheets. All antiretroviral drugs that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are included in the database. The database also contains fact sheets for many drugs used for opportunistic infections associated with AIDS, drugs used to treat side effects of antiretroviral drugs, and other drugs which may be used to treat people with HIV/AIDS.

    The database includes both FDA-approved and investigational drugs. Investigational, or pipeline, drugs are experimental drugs which are being tested in both humans and animals and have not been approved by the FDA. While there are many HIV/AIDS drugs being investigated worldwide, this database contains only those investigational drugs that are being tested in human clinical trials.

    For each drug in the database, there is a non-technical fact sheet and a technical fact sheet. The non-technical fact sheet provides basic information about the drug's use, dosage, side effects, contraindications, and manufacturer. The non-technical fact sheet also provides both the generic and brand names, a pronunciation guide, and the date the FDA approved the drug. The technical fact sheet provides more extensive information about the drug's pharmacology, chemistry, and toxicity.

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    Correct Spelling?

    If you are unsure of the correct spelling of a drug or are unable to find a drug by entering the drug name, use the database's alphabetical index. Drugs are listed in the index by both their generic and brand names as well as other common names. For example, the fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide is found under "E" and is also listed as Fuzeon (brand name) under "F" and T-20 (another common name) under "T."

    You can view a list of all the drugs in the database by clicking "All."

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    Brand Name vs. Generic Name

    The generic name of a drug is the name of the drug compound that is recognized by the FDA. When a drug manufacturer produces and distributes a drug, it uses a brand name. For example, the drug efavirenz is known by its brand name Sustiva.

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    Search By Drug Name

    You can search the database by entering a drug name into the Drug Name text box. You may enter either the generic name, the brand name, or other common names of the drug. You must spell the drug name correctly. If you are unsure of the correct spelling, use the alphabetical index or search by drug class or type.

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    Search By Drug Class

    AIDSinfo classifies drugs into six major categories: protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, entry/fusion inhibitors, microbicides, and drugs for opportunistic infections/other.

    To search by drug class, use the drop down menu to select a specific class. After selecting a class, hit search to go to that class's web page. This page will provide a basic definition of the drug class and will list both approved and investigational drugs within that class.

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    Search By Drug Type

    For purposes of the AIDSinfo Drug Database, drug type refers to the FDA status of a drug. You may choose to view only those drugs that have been approved by the FDA or you may view investigational drugs. Drugs viewed by type are presented in an alphabetical list and will not be organized by drug class.

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