HIV Treatment Safety Considerations | HIV Clinical Insights

A regimen’s safety profile should help support aging with HIV

People with HIV currently require lifelong treatment through all stages of life¹

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Safety and tolerability considerations for all patients with HIV²

DHHS guidelines and safety considerations for your patients

When discussing HIV treatment with your patients, consider assessing their beliefs, perceptions, and expectations about the impact of taking ART on their health, including side effects. Engaging in collaborative, problem-solving conversations regarding an individual’s questions or concerns about side effects may help improve their adherence to ART.

As patients age, treatment discussions should take into account the potential for comorbidities associated with HIV.

Aging with HIV may lead to other health complications²

As people age, they typically may have more comorbidities, take more medications, and are more vulnerable to side effects—complicating management of their HIV

Antiretroviral therapy has increased the life expectancy of individuals with HIV. However, aging people with HIV often develop inflammation and cardiovascular, kidney, liver, bone, and neurologic diseases. Potential side effects and drug-drug interactions for aging-associated comorbidities can further complicate ART management.^2-4

All patients should initiate treatment as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis. This is particularly important for older patients (50 and older) because this population²:

Experiences accelerated CD4 cell loss

Has decreased immune recovery

Is at increased risk of serious non-AIDS illnesses

Long-term success with treatment is an important consideration for patients aging with HIV

Dosing for Aging Patients

Some patients may be on older, multi-tablet regimens that may be difficult to adhere to. Consider the benefits of simple administration to help address the needs of your aging patients.²

Learn more about simple administration

ART, antiretroviral therapy; CD4, cluster of differentiation 4; DHHS, US Department of Health and Human Services.

References:

Schouten J, Wit FW, Stolte IG, et al. Cross-sectional comparison of the prevalence of age-associated comorbidities and their risk factors between HIV-infected and uninfected individuals: the AGEhIV cohort study. Clin Infect Dis. 2014;59(12):1787-1797.
Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in adults and adolescents with HIV. US Department of Health and Human Services. Updated September 12, 2024. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/sites/default/files/guidelines/documents/adult-adolescent-arv/guidelines-adult-adolescent-arv.pdf
Deeks S, Tracy R, Douek D. Systemic effects of inflammation on health during chronic HIV infection. Immunity. 2013;39(4):633-645.
HIV.gov. Aging with HIV. Updated August 20, 2024. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/living-well-with-hiv/taking-care-of-yourself/aging-with-hiv

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Safety & Tolerability

Safety & Tolerability

A regimen’s safety profile should help support aging with HIV

People with HIV currently require lifelong treatment through all stages of life¹

Safety and tolerability considerations for all patients with HIV²

DHHS guidelines and safety considerations for your patients

Aging with HIV may lead to other health complications²

As people age, they typically may have more comorbidities, take more medications, and are more vulnerable to side effects—complicating management of their HIV

All patients should initiate treatment as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis. This is particularly important for older patients (50 and older) because this population²:

Long-term success with treatment is an important consideration for patients aging with HIV

Dosing for Aging Patients

References:

Safety & Tolerability

Safety & Tolerability

A regimen’s safety profile should help support aging with HIV

People with HIV currently require lifelong treatment through all stages of life1

Safety and tolerability considerations for all patients with HIV2

DHHS guidelines and safety considerations for your patients

Aging with HIV may lead to other health complications2

As people age, they typically may have more comorbidities, take more medications, and are more vulnerable to side effects—complicating management of their HIV

All patients should initiate treatment as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis. This is particularly important for older patients (50 and older) because this population2:

Long-term success with treatment is an important consideration for patients aging with HIV

Dosing for Aging Patients

References:

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People with HIV currently require lifelong treatment through all stages of life¹

Safety and tolerability considerations for all patients with HIV²

Aging with HIV may lead to other health complications²

All patients should initiate treatment as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis. This is particularly important for older patients (50 and older) because this population²: