title: Nevirapine plus efavirenz plus didanosine: a simple, safe, and effective once-daily regimen for patients with HIV infection.
abstract: Conventional highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection typically use nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and either a protease inhibitor (PI) or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Because PI-based regimens are associated with significant long-term toxicity and adherence difficulty, there is a need for novel regimens that maximize combination treatment options. This 12-month, observational, cohort study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a novel three-drug HAART regimen. Drug treatment consisted of nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV), and didanosine (ddl). Twenty-six treatment-naive and -experienced HIV-1+ men and women were included in the study. Assessment consisted of CD4+ cell count, plasma HIV-1 RNA load, and adverse effects of study medications. After one year of therapy, 11/12 treatment-naive subjects (92%) and 8/9 treatment-experienced subjects (89%) had viral loads < 400 copies/mL. Both groups also had an excellent immune response. At one year, there was a mean increase of 438 CD4+ cells/mm3 among treatment-naive subjects and 367 cells/mm3 among treatment-experienced subjects. Treatment-limiting adverse effects occurred in 3/15 treatment-naive (20%) and 2/11 treatment-experienced (18%) subjects. These preliminary data suggest that the combination of NVP, EFV, and ddl is simple, safe, and effective.
authors.affiliation: OASIS Clinic and AIDS Program, King-Drew Medical Center, Charles R. Drew University, 12021 S. Wilmington Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA. Tojo44@aol.com
authors.forename: Wilbert C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yemofio
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tolbert
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: Harlon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: D Christopher
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D048588:Benzoxazines; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D016049:Didanosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019829:Nevirapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010078:Oxazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D048588:Benzoxazines; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D010078:Oxazines; D012367:RNA, Viral; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D019829:Nevirapine; C098320:efavirenz; D016049:Didanosine