[Current antiretroviral therapy: A review]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Current clinical guidelines recommend first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens comprising 2-3 drugs in a single daily tablet.
• Preferred ART regimens often include second-generation drugs like integrase inhibitors or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, offering high efficacy and a strong genetic barrier against HIV resistance.
• HIV protease inhibitors serve as alternative treatment options.

Approach:

• This overview synthesizes current clinical recommendations for antiretroviral therapy in HIV management.
• It evaluates the advantages of ART regimens with minimal side effects, no metabolic impact, and few drug interactions.
• The potential benefits of transitioning patients to bimonthly injectable ART regimens are discussed.

Key Points:

• First-line ART typically involves daily, single-tablet regimens with high efficacy and resistance barriers.
• Alternative regimens include HIV protease inhibitors.
• Injectable ART administered every two months may enhance patient quality of life and treatment adherence.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing ART regimens involves selecting options with favorable side effect profiles and minimal drug interactions.
• The introduction of novel antiretroviral drugs and formulations, such as long-acting injectables, is crucial for managing HIV, including cases with drug-resistant strains.
• Transitioning to bimonthly injectable therapy can significantly improve patient outcomes and adherence.