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Published on: April 9, 2014
Hepatotoxicity during nevirapine-based fixed-dose combination antiretroviral therapy in kampala, Uganda
Judith A Hahn1, Marissa Maier, Jayne Byakika-Tusiime
1Epidemiology and Preventions Center, Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-1372, USA. jhahn@epi-center.ucsf.edu
Background:
Generic, low-cost, nevirapine (NVP)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved survival in HIV-infected individuals living in resource-limited settings. However, there is concern about the potential hepatotoxicity of these regimens.
Methods:
The authors conducted a prospective study of persons initiating self-pay Triomune or Maxivir therapy in Kampala, Uganda.
Results:
The 97 study participants were predominantly women (64%), median age was 35 (interquartile range [IQR] 30-40), median CD4 at baseline was 56 cells/mm(3) (IQR 8-138), and 19% had lifetime alcohol problems (CAGE >/= 2). Severe liver enzyme elevations (LEEs) of grade 3-4 were rare (2.2%); however, 1 patient died in the setting of grade 4 LEEs. Grade 1-4 LEEs occurred among 22.2% of participants, and 9.8% had new grade 1-4 LEEs after the initiation of treatment.
Discussion:
The authors found that LEEs were common but that severe hepatotoxicity in persons initiating NVP-based ART was infrequent yet potentially life-threatening. Monitoring for NVP-related severe hepatic toxicity should be part of expanding antiretroviral treatment programs in resource-limited settings.
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