antiretrovirals can slow down the development of AIDS.

Antiretroviral drugs are used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients take antiretrovirals in "combination therapy," which typically involves a 3- or 4-drug combination of nucleoside analogues, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors. In the right combination, and when taken according to schedule, antiretrovirals can slow down the development of AIDS.

Antiretroviral therapy helps people who are infected with HIV to live longer, healthier lives. Although AIDS remains an epidemic in many parts of the world, the death rate from the disease has fallen drastically in the United States and other industrialized nations where people have access to affordable antiretroviral drugs.

Antiretrovirals, when taken in the right combination and according to schedule, can result in immune reconstitution, restore health, and prevent the development of AIDS and AIDS related conditions. As of January 2008, there are 32 antiretrovirals approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).