Key Principles of Antiretroviral Pharmacology

Antiretroviral therapy has advanced significantly since zidovudine was first approved. Although 31 antiretrovirals have been approved by the FDA, only about half of those are commonly used. Newer, more tolerable agents have made human immunodeficiency virus into a chronic condition, which can be managed with medication. The most common antiretroviral regimens consist of 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus a third agent, often an integrase inhibitor because of better tolerability and fewer drug interactions than other regimens. Understanding the dosage forms, adverse effects, and drug interactions of antiretrovirals allow clinicians to choose the most appropriate regimen for their patient. New developments, such as branded generic regimens and long-acting intramuscular injections, may play a larger role in the future.