title: Single-tablet regimens in HIV: does it really make a difference?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Review of the available data on the currently available single-tablet regimens (STRs), from the analysis of efficacy and safety to the key points of value in terms of adherence, quality of life and pharmacoeconomic evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this narrative review, literature searches have been performed in PubMed, IndexRevMed and Cochrane, using the search terms HIV, single-tablet, one-pill, single dose, fixed-dose, and STR. These have been reviewed and complemented with the most recent publications of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fixed-dose combinations are a significant advance in antiretroviral treatment simplification, contributing to an increase in compliance with complex chronic therapies, thus improving patients' quality of life. Reducing the number of pills and daily doses is associated with higher adherence and better quality of life. As a fixed-dose combination tablet given once daily, EFV/FTC/TDF was the first available STR combining efficacy, tolerability and convenience, with the simplest dosing schedule and smallest numbers of pills of any ART combination therapy. The RPV/FTC/TDF is a next-generation NNRTI-based STR, a once daily complete ART regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Recently the combination of EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF was also approved by the European Commission, and is the first integrase inhibitor-based STR. Receiving antiretroviral therapy as once daily STR is associated with both clinical and economic benefits, which confirms previous research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The associated benefits of STRs provide a valid strategy for the treatment of HIV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Hospital Egas Moniz , Lisboa , Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aldir
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serrado
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002219:Carbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069547:Cobicistat; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068696:Rilpivirine; D013607:Tablets / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068698:Tenofovir; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D002219:Carbamates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009570:Nitriles; D063065:Organophosphonates; D011743:Pyrimidines; D015363:Quinolones; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D013607:Tablets; D013844:Thiazoles; D003841:Deoxycytidine; C509700:elvitegravir; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000068696:Rilpivirine; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D000225:Adenine; D000069547:Cobicistat