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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 10, 2014
Protease inhibitor-associated hyperglycemia in Mexican patients with HIV infection
A Palma-Aguirre1, J Halabe-Cherem, H Nellen-Hummel
1Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, México, D.F., Mexico. Apalma@chdr.nl
Background:
The use of protease inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of HIV infection. These agents are well tolerated, although the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has warned U.S. doctors that protease inhibitors may precipitate hyperglycemia and diabetes (DM), based on isolated reports from physicians.
Methods:
Sixty-one patients with HIV infection with criterion of non-DM from the onset of the protease inhibitor therapy participated in the study. Plasma glucose levels were obtained every month during a 6-month period, with a basal determination prior to protease inhibitor therapy.
Results:
All Mexican patients enrolled in this study had the same Hispanic-American ethnic origin. Four patients (6.55%) developed hyperglycemia related with saquinavir. One had family history of DM type II. These patients were controlled with diet.
Conclusions:
Based on present data, we believe the benefits of these drugs to patients suffering from HIV infection outweigh the various risks of taking protease inhibitors. However, physicians who use these drugs have to be on the alert for hyperglycemia in the Mexican population, while patients should know the warning symptoms of hyperglycemia and diabetes.
Insights
Protease inhibitors for HIV are effective but may cause hyperglycemia and diabetes. Monitoring is crucial, especially in the Mexican population, to manage these risks.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Protease inhibitors have transformed HIV treatment.
- The FDA has alerted physicians to potential hyperglycemia and diabetes risks associated with protease inhibitors.
- These risks are based on limited physician reports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of hyperglycemia in HIV patients receiving protease inhibitor therapy.
- To assess the relationship between protease inhibitor use and the development of diabetes mellitus in a specific ethnic group.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 61 HIV-infected patients without pre-existing diabetes was studied.
- Plasma glucose levels were monitored monthly for six months.
- Basal glucose levels were recorded before initiating protease inhibitor therapy.
Main Results:
- Four patients (6.55%) developed hyperglycemia while on saquinavir.
- One patient with hyperglycemia had a family history of type II diabetes.
- Hyperglycemia in affected patients was managed effectively with diet.
Conclusions:
- The benefits of protease inhibitors in HIV treatment likely outweigh the risks.
- Physicians should remain vigilant for hyperglycemia in Mexican patients on protease inhibitors.
- Patients need to be aware of hyperglycemia and diabetes warning signs.
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