Pharmacology

The guidelines state that a clear understanding of drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug half-life and its role when stopping a drug, and pharmacogenetics (particularly in regard to abacavir use) are critical in effectively managing patients on ARV therapy.

A recommended resource for checking drug interactions is the site maintained by the University of Liverpool at www.hiv-druginteractions.org

There is currently a lack of data to confirm the benefits of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). BHIVA recommends the use of TDM in vulnerable populations (e.g. pregnant women, extremes of body mass, children) and in complex clinical situations (e.g. drug interactions, liver impairment, malabsorption, suspected non-adherence, treatment failure). The writing group recommends reviewing the findings prepared by an international consensus panel.1 Their recommendations for TDM use are available at the website www.hivpharmacology.com.

References

  1. la Porte CJL et al. Recommendations for performing TDM of antiretroviral agents. Reviews in antiviral therapy 3: 3-14, 2006
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