Overview of Antiretroviral Therapy

Kathryn Snyder

Quinton Taylor


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; doseadjust 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® Tenofavir alafenamide/ Emtricitabin/ 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; doseadjust 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

Nucleoside RTI

Dose adj

Specific Side Effects

Major DDI

Special Points

Abacavir (ABC)Hepatic dysfunction↑ LDL/TG
↑ risk MI
TenofovirRequires testing for HLA B5701
Emtricitabine (FTC)RenalRash, insomnia, rhabdomyolysis, hyperpigmentation in palms/solesLamivudineActive against HBV
Lamivudine (3TC)RenalNausea, HA, peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, rashEmtricitabineActive against HBV
Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF)Discontinue if CrCl < 15↑ lipidsAED’s may ↑ levelsTx of choice for HBV
Tenofovir Disoproxil (TDF)RenalN/V, ↑ LFTs, asymptomatic ↑CK, renal dysfunction, bone mineral density lossActive 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

Integrase Inhibitor

Dose Adj.

Specific Side Effects

Major DDI

Special Points

Raltegravir (RAL) Rifampin, AED’s
Dolutegravir (DTG) *see special points* Hyperglycemia Weight gain Rifampin, Efavirenz ↑Metformin Avoid close admin with laxatives, sucralfate, iron, calcium
May ↑Cr, without effect on renal function

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

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

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