HIV/AIDS treatment guidelines released

Guidelines for the use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, a publication created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have been released after months of anticipation. According to these guidelines, treatment should begin with three antiretroviral agents including one protease inhibitor, then change at least two of the drugs if viral load increases or there are other indications of failure. Monotherapy is not recommended, except in the case of AZT's use to prevent maternal to infant disease transmission. Other key points in the guidelines are: 1) use of viral load and CD4 counts to decide when changes in antiretroviral therapy should be made, 2) methods of treating established infection, 3) considerations in changing a regimen that has either failed or is too toxic, 4) diagnosis and treatment of acute HIV infection, and 5) use of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected pregnant women.

Published by NIAID AIDS agenda, 1997. The guideline itself is at the source linked here.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11364605/