Taking HIV Meds Only Four Days a Week Works Well

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In an early study, 96 percent of those on the experimental dosing schedule had a fully suppressed virus after 48 weeks of treatment.

 December 8, 2016

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People with well-controlled HIV may be able to switch to a four-days-on, three-days-off antiretroviral (ARV) dosing schedule and suppress the virus just as well, aidsmap reports. A pilot study of such an experimental approach to HIV treatment showed promising results.

Researchers recruited 100 people who were taking a triple-ARV regimen of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus either a boosted protease inhibitor or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). When entering the study, participants had maintained an undetectable viral load for a median four years.

The participants were given the option of taking their ARVs Monday through Thursday and skipping the long weekend or taking them Tuesday through Friday and skipping Saturday through Monday.

After 48 weeks of one of these dosing protocols, 96 percent (96) of the group still had a fully suppressed virus.

To read the aidsmap article, click here.

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