Treatment of HIV infection: Swedish recommendations 2009.
On 4 previous occasions, in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007, the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) and the Swedish Reference Group for Antiviral Therapy (RAV) have jointly published recommendations for the treatment of HIV infection. In November 2008, an expert group under the guidance of RAV once more revised the guidelines, of which this is a translation into English. The most important updates in the present guidelines include the following: (a) treatment initiation is now recommended at a CD4 cell count of approximately 350/microl; (b) new recommendations for first-line therapy: abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine in combination with efavirenz or a boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r); (c) an increased focus on reducing the use of antiretroviral drugs that may cause lipoatrophy; (d) an emphasis on quality assurance of HIV care through the use of InfCare HIV; (e) considerably altered recommendations for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in children. All infants (<1 y) should start antiretroviral therapy, regardless of immune status. Also, absolute CD4+ cell counts, rather than percentage, may be used to guide treatment initiation in children above the age of 5 y.
Josephson
Filip
F
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. filip.josephson@karolinska.se
Albert
Jan
J
Flamholc
Leo
L
Gisslén
Magnus
M
Karlström
Olof
O
Moberg
Lars
L
Navér
Lars
L
Svedhem
Veronica
V
Svennerholm
Bo
B
Sönnerborg
Anders
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000592:standards; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013548:Sweden
D000998:Antiviral Agents