Long-term and concentration-dependent beneficial effect of efavirenz on HDL-cholesterol in HIV-infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term effects of efavirenz on cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG).


METHODS
Thirty-four HIV-infected patients who commenced efavirenz therapy were monitored for 36 months.


RESULTS
In patients with baseline HDL-C<40 mg.dL-1 an increase in HDL-C from 31+/-1 mg.dL-1 to 44+/-2 mg.dL-1 (95% confidence interval 5.9, 21.9, P<0.01) was observed and remained throughout the follow-up period. Median efavirenz plasma concentration was 1.98 mg.L-1 and a direct correlation between percentage of HDL-C variation or TC/HDL-C ratio and efavirenz plasma concentrations was found.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence of a long-term and concentration-dependent beneficial effect of efavirenz on HDL-C in HIV-infected patients.
Pereira
Sofia A
SA
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, New University of Lisbon and Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa, Zona Central, Lisbon, Portugal.
Branco
Teresa
T
Côrte-Real
Rita M
RM
Germano
Isabel
I
Lampreia
Fátima
F
Caixas
Umbelina
U
Monteiro
Emília C
EC