Antiretroviral therapy: a primer for dermatologists.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed the care of individuals who have HIV infection. Effective ART has resulted in dramatic reductions in mortality, hospitalization rates, and the development of AIDS-defining illnesses. This article discusses the variety of agents that can comprise an effective ART regimen, focusing on the basic principles of ART, the indications for initiating ART in treatment-naive individuals who have established HIV infection, and the challenges associated with the use of antiretroviral medications.