Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
Effects of raltegravir formulation change on medication adherence and medication errors
Sonoe Higashino1, Takeo Yasu1,2, Kenji Momo1,3
1Department of Pharmacy, The Institute of Medical Science Hospital, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Raltegravir dosing changes improved human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment adherence. While generally effective, some patients required additional support to prevent incorrect drug intake with the new regimen.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- HIV/AIDS Treatment
Background:
- Raltegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor used for HIV treatment.
- Changes in drug dosing schedules can impact patient adherence and treatment outcomes.
- Assessing adherence is crucial for optimizing antiretroviral therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate medication adherence and identify incorrect drug intake after a raltegravir dosing schedule change.
- To compare adherence rates before and after switching from raltegravir 400 mg twice daily (BID) to 600 mg once daily (QD).
Main Methods:
- A study involving 25 male HIV-infected patients.
- Medication adherence was assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and pill counts over 1 month.
- Pharmacist counseling was provided after the first post-change visit.
Main Results:
- Medication adherence significantly improved from 96 ± 4.3 mm (BID) to 100 ± 0.3 mm (QD) (P < 0.05).
- Despite overall improved adherence, three patients experienced incorrect drug intake following the formulation change.
Conclusions:
- The shift to a once-daily raltegravir regimen enhances treatment suitability and patient adherence in HIV-infected individuals.
- Close monitoring and patient education are essential to mitigate risks of incorrect drug administration associated with dosing schedule changes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Dosage Regimen: Fixed Dose
Fixed-dose regimens can be used for various routes of administration, including intravenous (IV) injections and oral medications. For IV administration, a predetermined amount of the drug is...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

