title: Plasma nevirapine levels and 24-week efficacy of a fixed-dose combination of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (GPO-VIR) among Thai HIV-infected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A fixed-dose combination of stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine (GPO-VIR) is the most affordable antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen in Thailand. The data of nevirapine (NVP) level and efficacy of this fixed-dose combination is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who were initiated GPO-VIR in 2004 were enrolled NVP levels at 12 weeks were determined. Patients were followed for 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-nine patients with a mean age of 36.4 years and 54% male were enrolled. Mean body weight was 54.7 kgs. Median baseline CD4 and HIV-RNA were 29 cells/mm3 and 270,000 (5.4 log10) copies/mL, respectively. Mean plasma NVP levels at 12 weeks was 6.4 mg/L. By linear regression, female gender (p = 0.042), and higher weight (p = 0.020) were associated with lower NVP levels. At 24 weeks, 78% achieved undetectable HIV-RNA and median CD4 was 156 cells/mm3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NVP levels and 24-week efficacy of GPO-VIR are favorable. According to the affordable cost, GPO-VIR should be an appropriate initial regimen for naïve HIV-infected patients in resource-limited settings.
authors: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi.
authors: Weerawat
authors: W
authors: Manosuthi
authors: Sasisopin
authors: S
authors: Kiertiburanakul
authors: Achara
authors: A
authors: Chaovavanich
authors: Somnuek
authors: S
authors: Sungkanuparph
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D019829:Nevirapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018119:Stavudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019259:Lamivudine; D019829:Nevirapine; D018119:Stavudine