HIV remains one of the fastest killing diseases in South Africa today. Although many more viral diseases have been discovered of late, the disease still remains the most widely discussed and feared.
ARV, or antiretroviral therapy, is a crucial medication for people living with HIV/AIDS. It helps to suppress the virus and improve the immune system, enabling individuals to lead long and healthy lives. In this article, we will provide you with information on the cost of ARV in South Africa, including the top sales list with prices, advantages, and popular FAQs.
Top Sales List with Price: The cost of ARV in South Africa can vary depending on the medication and the pharmacy. Here is a list of the top sales with their prices:
- Tenofovir/Emtricitabine/Efavirenz (Atripla) – R795 per month
- Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine (Triomune) – R130 per month
- Tenofovir/Emtricitabine (Truvada) – R1,330 per month
Advantages of ARV: ARV therapy has many advantages. It helps people living with HIV/AIDS to suppress the virus, improve their immune system, and reduce the risk of developing opportunistic infections. It also enables individuals to live longer, healthier lives and reduces the transmission of the virus to others.
The good news, however, is that medical practitioners have now discovered medications that can curb the effect of this disease – Introducing Antiretroviral Drugs (ARV). While a lot have been basking about the introduction of this drug, the problem remains its availability and inevitably, the price it goes for.
In this post, we will take a look at how much ARV drugs go for in South Africa today.
How Much Do ARV Drugs Cost in South Africa?
This has been one of the most talked-about topics in the South African medical sector today. With a lot of confusion and uncertainty about much ARV drugs go for, recent reports claim that a pack of this drug sells for between R$108 – R$180 depending on the type of drug and where you buy it from.
Generally, these drugs are off the counter and can mainly be bought when the patient has a prescription. The availability of the drug is another thing a lot of patients have complained about. While some plead to the government and National health agencies to make the drug available for free, others complain about its limited availability, especially in the less developed areas of the country.
What are ARVs?
Antiretroviral drugs are a class of drugs used in the main treatment of HIV. While it should be noted that these drugs do not entirely cure the disease, they can significantly lessen the amount of virus in the body of the patient. This essentially keeps the immune system sturdy enough to fight off diseases.
ARVs are available in different types. In fact, more than 40 ARV drugs are approved to treat HIV globally. Generally, most doctors recommend patients to take two or more of these drugs each day for the rest of their lives, depending on the complexity and extent of their disease.
It is essential to note that for the drug to work effectively and as intended, they must be taken at the right time and in the right dosage. Using these medicines the way a medical practitioner or healthcare provider has recommended them will go a long way in enabling the drug to work as desired.
Sticking to a treatment plan isn’t always easy. Antiretroviral drugs can cause side effects that can be severe enough to make some people stop taking them. But if a person with HIV skips doses of these drugs, the virus can start copying itself in their body again. This could cause HIV to become resistant to drugs. If that happens, the drug will no longer work, and that person will be left with fewer options to treat their HIV.
How Does ARV work?
Antiretroviral therapy curbs the effect of HIV by subduing the virus’s activity in the body. Generally, these drugs are effective at keeping HIV under control. The drug helps to improve the quality of health, and it can guarantee that a person with HIV has a comparable life expectancy to an individual who does not have the virus. Curbing viral activity leads to a low viral load and abridged risk of developing other illnesses and diseases.
The disease attacks the body’s immune system. A feeble immune system generally means that the body finds it difficult to fight off diseases and illnesses, and can range from infections to as serious as cancer. ARV medicines prevent HIV from growing, thus shielding the cells that the virus would target. The less the HIV existing in a patient’s body, the easier it will be for the immune system to recuperate.
Side Effects of ARV Drugs
HIV drugs have constantly been improving over the years, and severe side effects are less probable than they used to be many years ago. Nevertheless, HIV drugs can still cause some side effects. Some of these side effects are mild, while some others can be more severe and even deadly. A side effect can also get worse the longer a drug is taken. This depends on the patient’s body and how he or she reacts to the drugs.
It is possible for other drugs to interact with HIV drugs, which could cause side effects. Other health disorders can also aggregate the side effects of HIV drugs. For these reasons, it is very essential for patients to notify their medical doctor or healthcare provider before that start the use of any drug, supplement or even herbs.
It is also important for patients to consult their medical doctors immediately they notice a new side effect or strange occurrence in their body, which could be as a result of the medications, or not. Patients are advised to do this even if they have been using the medication for a long time. Depending on the drug, it can take a long time before the effects become visible and noticeable.
Possible short-term side effects of antiretroviral therapy can include:
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness
- fatigue
- headache
- muscle pain
- nausea
- vomiting
Possible Long-term side effects may include:
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Insomnia
- kidney damage
- liver damage
- nerve damage
- weak bones, a condition that doctors call osteoporosis
- Higher levels of fat in the blood
Side effects that show a more serious problem and may require urgent care include:
- extreme fatigue
- Persistent nausea
- Persistent fever
- Persistent vomiting
- Persistent rash
FAQs:
- Does the South African government provide free ARV medication? Answer: Yes, the South African government provides free ARV medication through its public health system. People living with HIV/AIDS can access the medication through public clinics and hospitals.
- Can I buy ARV medication over the counter? Answer: No, you cannot buy ARV medication over the counter. It is a prescription medication that can only be obtained through a doctor or a pharmacy.
- Can I get a discount on ARV medication if I don’t have medical aid? Answer: Yes, some pharmacies offer discounts on ARV medication for people who don’t have medical aid. You can also enquire about government subsidy programs that may provide further assistance.
Conclusion: The cost of ARV in South Africa can vary depending on the medication and the pharmacy, but there are options available for people living with HIV/AIDS who need access to the medication. The South African government provides free ARV medication through its public health system, and some pharmacies offer discounts for those who don’t have medical aid. In this article, we have provided you with information on the cost of ARV in South Africa, the top sales list with prices, advantages, and popular FAQs. If you or someone you know is living with HIV/AIDS, it’s important to access ARV medication as soon as possible to improve health outcomes and reduce transmission of the virus.