[Salvage therapy for HIV infection].

Abstract

Drug therapy of HIV infection has become more effective in the last years. The rates of viral suppression one year after initiation of treatment have increased, and the mean duration of the first combination therapy is now over 24 months. Nowadays, for patients with a failing regimen, in most cases a second or even third combination of drugs can achieve long term viral suppression. In comparison, the treatment of patients with drug resistances to three or more active substance classes is still a challenge that demands an individual and selective approach. Options for these patients include an intensification of therapy, maintaining a partially effective regimen, a temporary interruption in the therapy or the very careful planning of the use of new or investigational drugs. To maximize the use of new drugs, new treatment sequences should ideally include at least two new drugs. Realistically, long-term suppression of viral replication cannot be achieved in the majority of these patients; here the goal must be to optimize the clinical prognosis and to delay the progression of the HIV infection as long as possible.

• Authors: B Salzberger
• Journal: MMW Fortschritte der Medizin (MMW Fortschr Med) Vol. 147 Spec No 1 Pg. 32-7 (Apr 25 2005) ISSN: 1438-3276 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Wenn die antiretrovirale Behandlung versagt. Welche "Salvage"--Therapien gibt es?
• PMID: 16385870 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-HIV Agents
• HIV Protease Inhibitors
• Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Topics

• Anti-HIV Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Resistance, Viral
• Drug Synergism
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• HIV Infections (drug therapy)
• HIV Protease Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Salvage Therapy
• Treatment Failure
• Viral Load
• Virus Replication (drug effects)