HIV Treatment: An Introduction August 4, 2013 Dr. Joanna Eveland, MS, MD HIV Medical Director, Clinica Esperanza Mission Neighborhood Health Center
Dec 05, 2014
HIV Treatment: An IntroductionAugust 4, 2013
Dr. Joanna Eveland, MS, MDHIV Medical Director, Clinica EsperanzaMission Neighborhood Health Center
Objectives
• When, Why and What treatment to start
• Overcoming side effects• Working with your healthcare
providers to get the most out of treatment
When to start?
04/09/2023
10,000,000
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
1,000
100
10
HIV in plasma (copies/mL) HIV in plasma (“viral load”)
800
500
200
100
50
0
CD4 Count (cells/mL)
CD4 (T Cell) count
Months Years
Average progression without treatment: 10 years from infection to AIDS diagnosis
Source: HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau
2012 Treatment Guidelines
ART is recommended for all HIV+ individuals
• Strength of the recommendation varies by CD4 count: o CD4 count <350 (AI) o CD4 count 350 to 500 (AII) o CD4 count >500 (BIII)
2012 Treatment Guidelines
Rating scale A = StrongB = ModerateC = Optional
Rating of Evidence: I = data from randomized controlled trialsII = data from well-designed nonrandomized studies with long-term outcomes
III = expert opinion
2012 Treatment Guidelines
Treatment encouraged for special risk groups
• Pregnancy (AI)• HIV-associated kidney disease
(HIVAN) (AII) • Hepatitis B co-infection (AII) • Older patients (>50) (BIII)
Why Treat Early?
Reduce InflammationUncontrolled HIV might increase risk
of non-AIDS diseases:• Heart disease • Kidney disease• Liver disease• Dementia • Cancers
Why Treat Early?
Treatment is Prevention• Large 2011 studies showing 92-96%
decrease in HIV transmission with treatment
• Guidelines say offer ART to all at risk of transmitting HIV (AI [hetero] or AIII [other risk groups])
Don’t start meds until…
• You feel ready
• You are well engaged in care
• You can commit to taking your meds regularly
• You feel that other life factors and potential barriers to adherence (drugs, drama, mental health) are under control
We have a long way to go…
What to start?
Where we started…
• D
Where we are now…
• D
Take Home Points
• HIV treatment continues to improve- for the better!
• Each person’s combination of medicines is different
• KNOW what you take, and why.
Know What You’re Taking
• HIV drugs have two, sometimes three, different names– Scientific name, brand name, chemical
name– Zidovudine = Retrovir = AZT
• Some tablets contain more than one ingredient– Atripla = tenofovir + emtricitabine +
efavirenz
Goal of Treatment
General Principles• Goals: less pills, less times/day, less side
effects• Use at least 3 drugs, 2 classes of
medicines• Sometimes 3 isn’t enough
– Your Protease Inhibitor may need a “Booster”– Drug resistance usually = more pills
Treatment Principles:Chinese Menu Metaphor
“Two scoops of rice plus chicken or beef”
In other words, usually
2 “nukes”(NRTI) (2 scoops of rice) plus– 1 partner drug (main dish)
Protease Inhibitor (beef)
“non-nuke” NNRTI (chicken)
The Drugs…
Each attacks the virus at a different point…
Where Do HIV Drugs Act?
NRTIs, “Nukes”
NRTIs Continued
• Backbone of treatment• Older drugs are more toxic (AZT, “D-
drugs”)– Peripheral neuropathy– Lactic acidosis– Pancreatitis – Lipodystrophy
• Watch kidney function with Tenofovir
NNRTIs, “Non-nukes”
NNRTI: Pros and Cons
Ease (low pill burden) Well tolerated Less metabolic
effects– No lipodystrophy, less
dyslipidemia
Resistance develops quickly if <95% adherent– Single mutation– Cross resistance
among NNRTIs
Rash; hepatotoxicity
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Efavirenz considerations
• Most commonly prescribed NNRTI• Neuropsychiatric side effects: vivid
dreams, sleep disturbance, “spaciness”
• Caution for those with mental health issues
Protease Inhibitors
PIs: Pros and Cons
• High potency• Less susceptible to
resistance from virus
• Second-line therapy when NNRTI fails
• Metabolic complications- Increased cholesterol,
blood sugar• GI side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea• Drug interactions
– Statins, viagra, anti-seizure, many others
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Integrase Inhibitor
Integrase Inhibitor
• Approved as first-line regimen
• Less side effects
• Twice daily dosing• Low barrier to
resistance• Newer drug• Drug interactions
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Entry Inhibitors
Entry Inhibitors
• Currently used as salvage therapy for those with drug resistance
• Fuzeon is injectable, rarely used• Maraviroc is well tolerated, requires
CCR5 receptor on CD4 cells (not everyone has this)
Side Effects
• Tend to be worst in the first 2 months of therapy
• Severe side effects are a reason to change medications
• Your expectations shape your experience
Getting The Most Out of Treatment
What If I Miss a Pill?
• Risk of resistance increases with missing more than 1-2 doses/month
• If you miss a dose, try and learn from it
• If stopping your meds– All or none– Let us know!
Working With Your Provider
• You deserve great care
• Find the right fit• Educate yourself• Be engaged in care-
regular visits• Uninsured? You can
still get care!
Focus on Wellness
• Manage stress• Exercise regularly• Quit smoking• Reduce harmful drug or alcohol use• Build a supportive community• Define and achieve your personal
goals
Resources
• Project Inform: 1-800-342-2437, • http://www.projectinform.org/
• AIDSmeds.com• thebody.com• HIVinsite.org• www.aidsinfonet.org/
Thanks
• Drs Rick Loftus and Tri Do• The advocates and activists who
gave us these treatments• My patients
More Questions?
Dr. Joanna EvelandClinica Esperanza240 Shotwell St., SF(415) 431-3212 – Clinic Info(415) 552-3870 # 303 –My [email protected]