What is the recreational use of ART, including Truvada?
Recreational use of ART (antiretroviral therapy), including drugs like Truvada, is the non-prescribed consumption of these medications for their intoxicating effects. This dangerous practice has become a growing concern, particularly in regions with high HIV prevalence, such as South Africa. One survey of 200 adolescents reported that 3% used non-prescribed ART recreationally themselves and 14% knew someone who used it.
The ART medications are usually sold illegally and often mixed with other substances, creating a dangerous concoction known as "whoonga" or "nyaope” that is mainly smoked for its intoxicating effects. This practice not only diverts essential medication from those who need it, contributing to drug resistance, treatment interruptions, and increased HIV transmission, it also poses severe health risks to those who misuse these drugs.
Many ARTs interact with other recreational substances, such as alcohol, amphetamines, amyl nitrate (poppers), cocaine, and ecstasy, as well as other prescribed medications, such as erectile dysfunction agents. See the Drugs.com Interaction checker for specific information about interactions.
References
- Kuo C, Giovenco D, DeAtley T, Hoare J, Underhill K, Atujuna M, Mathews C, Stein DJ, Brown LK, Operario D. Recreational Use of HIV Antiretroviral Medication and Implications for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment. AIDS Behav. 2020 Sep;24(9):2650-2655. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02821-5. PMID: 32140876; PMCID: PMC7725396.
- Recreational Drugs and HIV Antiretrovirals. A Guide to Interactions for Clinicians. 2014. https://aidsetc.org/sites/default/files/resources_files/2014_Recreational%20Drug%20Interaction%20Guide.pdf
Read next
How long does it take for Truvada to work?
Truvada HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reaches maximum effectiveness after 7 days of daily use for receptive anal sex (bottoming). It takes about 21 days of daily use for protection for receptive vaginal sex or injected drug use. No data are available for insertive anal sex (topping) or insertive vaginal sex. Continue reading
How does Truvada work to prevent HIV?
Truvada is made up of two antiviral medications, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It works to lower the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by blocking pathways the virus uses to infect you and spread in your body. Continue reading
Which medicines should not be taken with Biktarvy?
- Biktarvy is a complete regimen and use with other antiretroviral medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection is not recommended.
- Biktarvy is associated with many drug interactions as it contains three different medicines, increasing your risk for interactions. Have your health care provider check for possible interactions with other prescription medicines, OTCs or herbal you take.
- You should not take Biktarvy with dofetilide (Tikosyn), a drug used for heart rhythm disorders or rifampin (Rifadin), a medicine for tuberculosis (TB). These drugs are contraindicated with the use of Biktarvy.
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Drug information
- Truvada Information for Consumers
- Truvada prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Truvada (detailed)
Related support groups
- Truvada (5 questions, 28 members)
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