HIV Treatment: One Pill a Day Therapy

The average age of the participants was 60, older than people typically included in HIV drug trials. Most participants took between two and eleven pills a day to treat HIV. Many also had other health problems, such as cardiovascular or kidney disease, and most had resistance to previous antiretroviral therapy. In the study, most participants experienced fewer side effects such as increased cholesterol levels, suggesting an additional potential benefit for those at risk for heart disease. For the participants the new therapeutic option is easier and more convenient to takewhich can help support consistent adherence to daily drug therapy. This is especially important for older adults, people with a past history of antiretroviral drug resistance, or those taking other therapies in addition to antiretroviral drugs, the authors say.