HIV/AIDS Glossary

Backbone

The two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) upon which an initial HIV regimen is built. To complete the HIV regimen, the two NRTIs are combined with a third antiretroviral HIV drug from either the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), protease inhibitor (PI), or integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) drug class.

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