Antiretroviral therapy for adults infected with HIV: Guidelines for health care professionals from the Quebec HIV care committee

• Main Authors: Danielle Rouleau, Claude Fortin, Benoît Trottier, Richard Lalonde, Normand Lapointe, Pierre Côté, Jean-Pierre Routy, Marie-France Matte, Irina Tsarevsky, Jean-Guy Baril, for the Comité consultatif sur la prise en charge clinique des personnes vivant avec le VIH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2011-01-01
• Series: Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/169045

The appropriate use of antiretrovirals reduces morbidity and mortality caused by HIV infection. The present article provides health care professionals with a practical guide for the use of antiretrovirals. Therapy should be initiated based predominantly on clinical presentation and CD4 count, and should consist of three active drugs or at least two active drugs when this is not possible, as in cases of some treatment-experienced patients. This is the most effective way to achieve long-term suppression of viral replication. Selection of individual drugs in the regimen should consider the weight of the evidence supporting these choices, as well as their tolerability profiles and ease of use, the patients’ comorbidities and treatment history. Treatment interruption is not recommended, either in aviremic patients or in those who have experienced virological failure. Instead, the therapeutic regimen should be adjusted to minimize side effects, promote adherence and suppress viral replication.