Medications in the treatment of HIV: associated conditions

The current focus of HIV care is on maximizing the efficacy of drugs that inhibit HIV replication. Unlike the simpler and less effective antiviral regimens used until recently, these multiagent cocktails are more effective yet pose greater risk for drug interactions. Because of the complexity of these drug interaction issues, it is critical that podiatric consultants communicate with the primary care physician when medication changes are anticipated. In addition, pharmacologic consultation is readily available [see Antivirals section] via an 800 number to assist all medical providers in adjusting medication regimens to prevent adverse drug interactions. As the majority of patients infected with HIV live longer, they likely are to be maintained on complex, multidrug regimens. For those patients who do not respond to current antiviral therapies and, hence, are at risk for opportunistic malignancies and infections, multiagent regimens often used with antiviral therapy will continue to be necessary.