Nephrotoxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients.
BACKGROUND
With the success of modern antiretroviral therapies in increasing longevity of patients with HIV infection, chronic conditions including renal disease have assumed a greater importance in patient management. Some antiretroviral therapies have themselves been identified to have clinically significant nephrotoxicity.


OBJECTIVE
To review the risk factors and mechanisms for renal toxicity of antiretroviral drugs, and their impact on the clinical management of patients with HIV.


METHODS
Current literature and HIV treatment guidelines are reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Background rates of renal disease and associated risk factors are significant in the HIV clinic population, and renal function should be assessed in all HIV-infected patients. Modern HIV treatment regimens have a relatively low but clinically significant nephrotoxic potential; therefore, renal function should be evaluated on an ongoing basis in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Harris
Marianne
M
mharris@cfenet.ubc.ca
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents