Use of psychotropic drugs in patients with HIV infection

Psychotropic drugs are frequently employed to treat the wide range of neuropsychiatric syndromes that patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may develop. In order to administer these agents properly, physicians should take certain factors into account: the central nervous systems of these patients are often impaired, the patients tend to suffer from medical illnesses, and they may be taking various other drugs. The possible interactions between substances taken by these patients may sometimes make it necessary to adjust the dosage of psychotropic agents administered. In addition, some of the antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral agents used in the management of HIV infection may have adverse effects that include neuropsychiatric symptoms. The use of antipsychotic agents in these patients frequently results in the development of extrapyramidal symptoms. Tricyclic antidepressants are not well tolerated by patients with AIDS, due to the anticholinergic effects of these agents. The new antidepressants, which have fewer and milder adverse effects, are safer and have shown their efficacy in the treatment of the depressive episodes often seen in HIV-infected patients. Benzodiazepines must be prescribed with caution in patients with HIV infection and organic brain syndrome, since they can produce amnesia, confusion, lack of inhibition and paradoxical reactions. The indications for the use of psychostimulants in certain clinical situations, such as HIV-associated dementia and depression, is open to debate. Opiates are indicated in pain treatment, and in methadone maintenance programmes. Lithium and carbamazepine are advisable only in very restricted situations.