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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
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An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Errors in prescribing HIV-1 protease inhibitors
1Visiting Nurse Service of New York, USA.
Summary
Nearly 40% of protease inhibitor orders for HIV/AIDS patients had incorrect dosage frequencies. This study highlights errors in prescribing protease inhibitors, including dosage and combination therapy, for home care patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- HIV/AIDS Therapeutics
Background:
- Home care services are crucial for managing chronic conditions like HIV disease/AIDS.
- Protease inhibitors are a key component of antiretroviral therapy for HIV.
- Accurate dosing is essential for the efficacy and safety of protease inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify dosage frequency errors in written medical orders for protease inhibitors.
- To compare prescribed dosing with manufacturer and therapeutic recommendations.
- To identify prescribing errors in home care settings for HIV/AIDS patients.
Main Methods:
- A univariate descriptive study analyzed client records from a New York City home health agency.
- Data collected from December 1, 1996, to January 15, 1997.
- Included 202 adult patients receiving home care, focusing on prescriptions for indinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir.
Main Results:
- Protease inhibitors were prescribed for 45.1% of the sample.
- Incorrect dosing schedules were found in 39.6% of protease inhibitor orders.
- Errors included incorrect dosages and prescribing protease inhibitors as monotherapy.
Conclusions:
- Prescribing errors for protease inhibitors are prevalent, including incorrect frequency, dosage, and monotherapy use.
- Awareness among clinicians is vital to reduce these medication errors.
- Improved prescribing practices are needed for optimal HIV/AIDS management.
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