Simplification of antiretroviral therapy: a good choice for our patients and the sustainability of our health care system.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the efficacy, safety, compliance and cost savings of lopinavir/ritonavir monotherapy.


METHODS
Observational, descriptive and retrospective study evaluating monotherapy. Adherence was calculated using an objective method. We estimated the direct costs of dispensing non-triple therapy.


RESULTS
We identified 17 patients. Interval adherence was > 95% in 9 patients, 90-95% in 2 patients, 90-85% in 2 patients, and less than 85% in 4 patients. Viral load was undetectable during weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48, except in 2 patients. The CD4 count in most analytical tests remained at > 350 cells/ml, only 1 patient had a lower figure. The average savings was 4819 Euros/patient/year (range 1116 to 8700).


CONCLUSIONS
In selected patients, monotherapy can be a cost-effective treatment option.
Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital General de Especialidades Juan Ramón Jiménez, Huelva, España. luisglezrivas@hotmail.com
L
L
González Rivas
E
E
Sánchez Gómez
R
R
Sánchez del Moral
S
S
Grutzmancher Saiz
E
E
Pujol de la Llave
C
C
Bocanegra Martín
D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D061466:Lopinavir / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019438:Ritonavir / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D061466:Lopinavir; D019438:Ritonavir