Clinically Significant Drug Interactions Associated With HIV Medications [CE Module]

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

4-2015

Abstract

HIV patients are living longer than ever, and with this increased longevity comes a rise in the incidence of comorbid conditions. HIV patients are often on antiretroviral therapy along with treatment for their comorbid conditions; therefore, such patients are at an increased risk for the development of significant drug interactions. Of the six available antiretroviral drug classes, the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have a higher potential to interact with other drugs. Antiretrovirals have various mechanisms for causing drug interactions, including induction or inhibition of CYP450 enzymes. Many of these agents are also substrates of CYP450, and their drug levels can be altered by other medications. Other drugs can also cause absorption-related interactions with some of these antiretroviral agents. Because those interactions can result in significant increases or decreases in the levels of antiretrovirals or nonantiretrovirals being concurrently administered with the HIV medications, pharmacists need to be aware of clinically significant drug interactions so that they can prevent adverse outcomes and optimize pharmacotherapy in HIV patients.

Publication Title

U.S. Pharmacist

Comments

This CE module was published online in U.S. Pharmacist. Copyright ©2015 Jobson Medical Information.

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