Historical evolution of antiretroviral therapy in HIV infection in Brazil

Abstract

Objetive: The present work aims to portray the evolution of antiretroviral treatment over time, highlighting changes in treatments recommended by health agencies, in addition to highlighting the main classes of antiretrovirals and their representative drugs. Method: This article is an integrative literature review, in which a search for antiretroviral therapy protocols was carried out on Brazilian government platforms, in addition to a bibliographic review of scientific articles in the databases: Scielo, Lilacs and Pubmed. The following descriptors were used in the search strategy: HIV, HIV-1, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, Antiretrovirals, Antiretroviral Therapy, AIDS, human immunodeficiency virus, anti-HIV Agents. The results were filtered without restrictions on languages or type of publication, in the period from the creation of the databases until 2022. The criteria for choosing articles were based on their compatibility with the objective of the current review. Results: The article addresses the therapeutic protocols for the treatment of HIV created by the Ministry of Health, detailing protocol changes. By the creation of a timeline, the change in the treatment of AIDS is shown, initially with a large number of drugs and side effects, to the present, with 2 pills a day (Tenofovir/Lamivudine+Dolutegravir), these being more effective and with fewer adverse effects. Final considerations: This study has shown the evolution and enhancement of HIV treatment, in which medications have become less toxic for patients and, at the same time, have provided a better quality of life and an increase in life expectancy.