HIV therapy advances. Early antiretroviral therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To review evidence suggesting that antiretroviral therapy should be initiated at an early stage in HIV infection.


METHODS
Review of published data.


CONCLUSIONS
There are arguments both for and against early antiretroviral therapy. Although the reasons against are undoubtedly valid, evidence of greater efficacy, less toxicity and a delay in the development of resistance outweigh the possible disadvantages. Moreover, for some patients, early therapy may provide a chance of future benefits from more useful but currently untried treatments.
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, St Vincent's Hospital Medical Centre, Sydney, Australia.
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Cooper
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D012190:Retroviridae; D013997:Time Factors; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015215:Zidovudine