A comprehensive approach can help optimize therapy for your patients1
Optimize treatment, optimize care
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A few reasons to consider optimizing treatment for virologically suppressed patients according to DHHS guidelines1:
- To enhance tolerability and/or decrease short- or long-term toxicity
- To prevent or mitigate drug-drug interactions
- To eliminate food requirements
- To allow optimal use of ART during pregnancy or when pregnancy is desired
- To simplify a regimen by reducing pill burden and/or dosing frequency
- To reduce costs of therapy
Before optimizing treatment, DHHS guidelines recommend the following to guide treatment selection of a new ART for your patients: full ARV history, past virologic responses, past ARV-associated toxicities and intolerances, and cumulative resistance test results.
Common reasons to consider optimizing your patient’s regimen1
One of the most important factors to consider is a comprehensive approach to treatment, which can help address several optimization considerations.
| In your practice | Optimization consideration | |
|---|---|---|
| Patient is experiencing intolerable side effects from their current ART regimen Treatment with ART may result in a multitude of adverse reactions, and patients may be experiencing intolerable side effects with their current regimen. | Consider selecting a treatment that has a rigorously evaluated safety and tolerability profile and can support PWH through every stage of life | |
| Patient is nervous about their multi-tablet regimen Optimize patient treatment regimen with simplified single-tablet dosing regimen. | Consider selecting a treatment that aligns most closely with your patient’s needs ART regimens can vary in pill burden and should be tailored for an individual patient’s medical situation. This can enhance adherence and support long-term treatment success. |
| In your practice |
|---|
| Patient is experiencing intolerable side effects from their current ART regimen Treatment with ART may result in a multitude of adverse reactions, and patients may be experiencing intolerable side effects with their current regimen. |
| Optimization consideration |
| Consider selecting a treatment that has a rigorously evaluated safety and tolerability profile and can support PWH through every stage of life |
| In your practice |
|---|
| Patient is nervous about their multi-tablet regimen Optimize patient treatment regimen with simplified single-tablet dosing regimen. |
| Optimization consideration |
| Consider selecting a treatment that aligns most closely with your patient’s needs ART regimens can vary in pill burden and should be tailored for an individual patient’s medical situation. This can enhance adherence and support long-term treatment success. |
Your patient’s ability to adhere to the selected regimen is an essential consideration for treatment optimization1
Adherence helps maintain viral suppression and avoid the risk of developing resistance
Successful treatment requires a regimen that the individual can adhere to. Both ART adherence and the barrier to resistance of the treatment prescribed are important contributors to the long-term success with treatment for PWH. For patients with challenges adhering to ART, DHHS guidelines recommend prescribing regimens with high genetic barriers to resistance. The approaches taken to improve adherence should be tailored to each person’s needs and barriers to care, including changing ART to simplify dosing or to reduce side effects. Finding resources to assist with treatment costs to maintain uninterrupted access to both ART and appointments should also be considered.
ART, antiretroviral therapy; ARV, antiretroviral; DHHS, US Department of Health and Human Services; PWH, people with HIV.
Reference:
- 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