Glossary of terms

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• Fat Maldistribution/Redistribution
• See: Lipodystrophy.
• FDA
• See: Food and Drug Administration.
• FDCs
• See: Follicular Dendritic Cells.
• Fixed-Dose Combination
• A capsule or tablet containing two or more drugs. This type of drug formulation allows a patient to take multiple medications at one time to decrease pill burden. See also: Pill Burden, Formulation.
• Follicular Dendritic Cells (FDCs)
• A specific type of dendritic cell found in lymphoid tissues such as the thymus and lymph nodes. See also: Dendritic Cells.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply.
• Formulation
• The physical form in which a drug is administered. Examples include tablets, capsules, liquids, and injectables. A single drug may be available in multiple formulations.
• Fungus
• A group of primitive organisms including mushrooms, yeasts, rusts, and molds, some of which can infect humans and cause disease. For example, mouth thrush is caused by the fungus Candida.
• Fusin
• See: CXCR4.
• Fusion Inhibitors
• A class of anti-HIV drugs that inhibits the fusing of HIV's outer envelope with the host cell membrane, preventing infection of the cell. See also: Envelope.