References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
Modern HIV treatment has come a long way from the days of handfuls of pills multiple times a day. Several complete HIV regimens are now available as a single tablet taken once daily. These single-tablet regimens (STRs) make treatment simpler, easier to remember and more convenient.
Here’s a guide to the main options available in the UK.
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Available Single-Tablet Regimens
| Brand Name | Contents | Drug Classes | With Food? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biktarvy | Bictegravir + emtricitabine + TAF | INSTI + 2 NRTIs | No requirement |
| Dovato | Dolutegravir + lamivudine | INSTI + NRTI | No requirement |
| Triumeq | Dolutegravir + abacavir + lamivudine | INSTI + 2 NRTIs | No requirement |
| Symtuza | Darunavir + cobicistat + emtricitabine + TAF | PI + booster + 2 NRTIs | Yes |
| Eviplera | Rilpivirine + emtricitabine + TDF | NNRTI + 2 NRTIs | Yes |
| Odefsey | Rilpivirine + emtricitabine + TAF | NNRTI + 2 NRTIs | Yes |
| Juluca | Dolutegravir + rilpivirine | INSTI + NNRTI | Yes |
How to Choose
Your HIV team will recommend a regimen based on:
- Your viral load and CD4 count
- Any drug resistance
- Other medications you take (interaction risk)
- Kidney and bone health
- Whether you need to take it with food
- Hepatitis B co-infection status
- Pregnancy plans
- Side effect profile
Advantages of Single-Tablet Regimens
- Easier to remember — one pill, once a day
- Better adherence — simpler regimens mean fewer missed doses
- Discreet — a single tablet is easy to take privately
- Less stigma — one pill doesn’t look like “HIV treatment”
- Proven effectiveness — all UK-approved STRs are clinically proven
Two-Drug vs Three-Drug Regimens
Traditionally, HIV treatment used three drugs from at least two classes. Newer two-drug regimens (Dovato, Juluca) have proven non-inferior to three-drug options in clinical trials. The advantage is less long-term drug exposure; the trade-off is a slightly lower resistance barrier with some combinations.
Beyond Pills: Injectable Options
If you’d prefer not to take pills at all, long-acting cabotegravir + rilpivirine injections (every 1-2 months) are now available for people who are already virally suppressed.
Read more: Biktarvy | Dovato | Injectable HIV treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Are single-tablet treatments as effective as multi-pill regimens?
Yes. They contain the same drugs — just combined into one tablet for convenience.
Can I switch to a single-tablet regimen?
Usually yes, if you’re virally suppressed and don’t have resistance issues. Ask your HIV team at your next appointment.
Do all single-tablet treatments need food?
No. Biktarvy, Dovato and Triumeq can be taken with or without food. Eviplera, Odefsey, Symtuza and Juluca need food for proper absorption.
Related reading
- Injectable HIV Treatment: Everything You Need to Know
- Are HIV Tests Accurate If You're on PrEP, PEP or ART?
- CD4/CD8 Ratio: What It Means and Why It Matters
- CD4 Counts Explained: What Your Numbers Mean
- Changing HIV Treatment: When, Why and How
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
