Selected Antiretroviral (ARV) Regimens for Initial Therapy of HIV Infection in Children*
Age Group | NRTI Backbone Component (Use 2) | NNRTI or INSTI Component (Use 1) |
|---|---|---|
Infants birth to < 30 days | Zidovudine Zidovudineplus lamivudine (or emtricitabine) (each as oral solution)lamivudine (or emtricitabine) (each as oral solution) | Nevirapine oral solution Nevirapine oral solutionor Weight ≥ 2 kg: Raltegravir granules for oral suspensionWeight ≥ 2 kg: Raltegravir granules for oral suspension |
Children ≥ 30 days to 2 years and weight > 3 kg | Abacavir† (or zidovudine) Abacavir† (or zidovudine)plus lamivudine (or emtricitabine) (each as oral solution)lamivudine (or emtricitabine) (each as oral solution) | Dolutegravir dispersible tabletsDolutegravir dispersible tablets Weight > 6 kg: A fixed-dose tablet of abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir is available as a complete once-daily regimen as a dispersible tablet or as a fixed-dose tablet for those > 25 kg. Weight > 6 kg: A fixed-dose tablet of abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir is available as a complete once-daily regimen as a dispersible tablet or as a fixed-dose tablet for those > 25 kg. |
Children ≥ 2 years, weight ≥ 14 kg | Emtricitabine Emtricitabineplus tenofovir alafenamidetenofovir alafenamide | Bictegravir A fixed-dose tablet of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide/bictegravir (available in 2 dosing strengths: 1 for children 14 to < 25 kg and 1 for those ≥ 25 kg) is available as a complete once-daily regimen.A fixed-dose tablet of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide/bictegravir (available in 2 dosing strengths: 1 for children 14 to < 25 kg and 1 for those ≥ 25 kg) is available as a complete once-daily regimen. |
Adolescents > 12 years, weight ≥ 25 kg | Emtricitabine Emtricitabineplus tenofovir alafenamidetenofovir alafenamide | Bictegravir A fixed-dose tablet of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide/bictegravir is available as a complete once-daily regimen.A fixed-dose tablet of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide/bictegravir is available as a complete once-daily regimen. |
* Each regimen is designed to contain 2 NRTI antiretroviral (ARV) medications plus either an NNRTI or INSTI component. Several alternative ARV regimens exist; consultation with an expert in pediatric HIV medicine is advised. For information on adverse effects, other regimens and doses (especially for information on fixed-dose combination products), and drug interactions, see the continually updated Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of Children Living With HIV's Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection. Accessed June 19, 2025. | ||
† Abacavir should be used only in children who are HLA-B*5701 negative. | ||
HLA = human leukocyte antigen; INSTI = integrase strand transfer inhibitor; NNRTI = non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; NRTI = nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor. | ||