Skip to content

Overview of Antiretroviral Therapy

Kathryn Snyder and Quinton Taylor


Combination ART

Fixed Dose Combination regimens Renal Dosing Specific Considerations
Biktarvy® Bictegravir/ Emtricitabine/ Tenofovir (Alafenamide) Discontinue if CrCl < 30; ok w/HD ↑ Metformin levels
Contraindicated with: rifampin, dofetilide, rifabutin
Avoid close admin. with: laxatives, sucralfate, polyvalent cations (iron, calcium, etc.)
Dovato® Doltegravir/ Lamivudine CrCl 30-50: monitor for hematologic toxicities with lamivudine
CrCl<30: do not use combo pill; dose-adjust individual components
↑ Metformin levels
Dose adjustment needed w/ rifampin use
Contraindicated w/dofetilide and multiple antiepileptic drugs
Avoid close admin. with polyvalent cations (iron, calcium, etc.)
Test all pts for HBV prior to initiation
Symtuza® Tenofovir alafenamide/ Emtricitabine/ Darunavir/ Cobistat Discontinue if CrCl<30; ok w/HD but dose after HD on dialysis days Contraindicated w/rifampin, rifabutin, simvastatin, multiple antiepileptic drugs
Note that cobicistat can increase serum creatinine without affecting glomerular filtration so cautiously interpret serum creatinine levels
Triumeq® Abacavir/ Dolutegravir/ Lamivudine CrCL 30-50: monitor for hematologic toxicities with lamivudine
CrCl< 30; do not use combo pill; dose-adjust individual components
↑ Metformin levels
Dose adjustment needed with rifampin use
Contraindicated w/dofetilide and multiple antiepileptic drugs
Avoid close admin. with polyvalent cations (iron, calcium, etc.)
Test all pts for HBV prior to initiation
Genvoya® Elvitegravir/ Cobicistat/ Emtricitabin/ Tenofovir (Alafenamide) Discontinue if CrCl < 30; ok w/HD Many drug-drug interactions due to CYP 3A4 inhibition with cobicistat

NRTIs

Nucleoside RTI Dose adj Specific Side Effects Major DDI Special Points
Abacavir (ABC) Hepatic dysfunction ↑ LDL/TG
↑ risk MI
Tenofovir Requires testing for HLA B5701
Emtricitabine (FTC) Renal Rash, insomnia, rhabdomyolysis, hyperpigmentation in palms/soles Lamivudine Active against HBV
Lamivudine (3TC) Renal Nausea, HA, peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, rash Emtricitabine Active against HBV
Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) Discontinue if CrCl < 15 ↑ lipids AED’s may ↑ levels Tx of choice for HBV
Tenofovir Disoproxil (TDF) Renal N/V, ↑ LFTs, asymptomatic ↑CK, renal dysfunction, bone mineral density loss -- Active against HBV

NRTI Additional Information

  • Tenofovir alone is indicated for HBV, in which case you should be mindful of renal clearance when dosing. In HIV, it is only used in combination with emtricitabine and third agent. Contraindicated if CrCl<30
  • Class-wide side effect: Lactic acidosis, steatosis and lipoatrophy (though very rare with contemporary NRTIs)
  • Resistance: M184V confers high resistance to emtricitabine and lamivudine, mid-level resistance to abacavir, hypersusceptibility to tenofovir

NNRTIs

NNRTIs Hepatic Adj Specific Side Effects Major DDI Special Points
Efavirenz Stop if Child Pugh B/C Psychosis, vivid dreams, SI, mania, seizures;
↑ Lipids & glucose
Azoles, antifungals, clopidogrel, some statins, clarithromycin, Buprenorphine Give before meals; discontinue if rash develops
Etravirine (ETR) Hypersensitivity
↑ Lipids & glucose
Clopidogrel, clarithromycin
Nevirapine (NVP) Stop if Child Pugh B/C Steven Johnson Syndrome Azoles, OCP’s, statins, clarithromycin Don’t start if CD4 >250 in women, CD4 >400 in men;
Don’t admin with antacids
Rilpivirine (RPV) None AED’s, PPI’s, dexamethasone Must be taken with full meal; Don’t use if HIV RNA >100k + CD4 < 200;
Don’t admin with antacids

NNRTI Additional Information

  • Class-wide side effect: hepatitis, rashes
  • Resistance: K103N resistance to efavirenz and nevirapine

Integrase Inhibitors

Integrase Inhibitor Dose Adj. Specific Side Effects Major DDI Special Points
Raltegravir (RAL) -- -- Rifampin, AED’s --
Dolutegravir (DTG) -- Hyperglycemia
Weight gain
Rifampin, Efavirenz
↑Metformin
Avoid close admin with laxatives, sucralfate, iron, calcium
May ↑Cr, without effect on renal function

Protease Inhibitors

Protease inhibitors Hepatic Dose adj Specific Side Effects Major DDI Special Points
Atazanavir (ATV) Based on Childs Pugh Jaundice, Kidney stones, AV block, Pancreatitis, Rhabdomyolysis CYP3A4 Inhibitors
PPI and H2 blockers
Admin with meals
Darunavir (DRV) Rashes
Pancreatitis
CYP3A4 Inhibitors
Azoles can be used cautiously with drug level monitoring
Must stop if rash
Lopinavir (LPV) AV block, QT changes
Pancreatitis
Hepatitis
CYP3A4 Inhibitors Admin with meals

Protease Inhibitor Additional Information

  • All protease inhibitors must be boosted:
    • Ritonavir: can cause MSK pain, rhabdomyolysis, although not expected at usual doses
    • Cobicistat: may increase Cr without effect on renal function
  • Class-wide side effects: hepatitis, hypersensitivity reactions, increased cholesterol/TG, hyperglycemia, GI upset, lipodystrophy