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Antiretroviral Therapy Overview3rd Edition

Module Core Competency

Apply Evidence-Based Antiretroviral Therapy for Persons with HIV

Target Audience

Learn how to select appropriate medication(s), manage common adverse effects and drug interactions, and determine and manage switching regimens or virologic failure.

Editor

David H. Spach, MD

David H. Spach, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
University of Washington

Disclosures: None

1Lesson 1 Antiretroviral Medications and Initial Therapy

Learning Objectives
- List the major classes of antiretroviral medications
- Explain the mechanism of action with each class of antiretroviral medications
- Summarize evidence supporting antiretroviral treatment of all persons with HIV
- Describe recommended antiretroviral regimens for treatment-naïve individuals and discuss factors to consider when selecting an initial regimen
- Discuss recommended laboratory studies to obtain at baseline and while monitoring response to therapy
Quick ReferenceAntiretroviral Medications and Initial Therapy Core Concepts

2Lesson 2 Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Medications

Learning Objectives
- Summarize common adverse effects associated with antiretroviral medications
- Identify serious adverse effects caused by antiretroviral therapy
- List appropriate baseline laboratory studies to perform when starting antiretroviral therapy
- Discuss frequency of types of laboratory tests for monitoring persons taking antiretroviral therapy
- Explain management strategies for antiretroviral-related adverse effects
Quick ReferenceAdverse Effects of Antiretroviral Medications Core Concepts

3Lesson 3 Drug Interactions with Antiretroviral Medications

Learning Objectives
- Explain the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Access resources for checking drug interactions that involve antiretroviral medications
- Identify commonly used antiretroviral medications that often cause significant drug interactions
- Discuss how antiretroviral medications can increase or decrease levels of some medications when coadministered
- Describe potential drug interactions between antiretroviral medications and medications commonly used to treat comorbid conditions
Quick ReferenceDrug Interactions with Antiretroviral Medications Core Concepts

4Lesson 4 Switching or Simplifying Antiretroviral Therapy

Learning Objectives
- Discuss the rationale for switching or simplifying antiretroviral therapy
- Describe common situations to consider for simplifying antiretroviral therapy
- Explain why some antiretroviral medications generally warrant a switch to a newer agent
- List the two-drug regimens that have been FDA-approved for maintenance antiretroviral therapy
- Summarize key findings with studies involving a switch to an integrase strand transfer inhibitor
Quick ReferenceSwitching or Simplifying Antiretroviral Therapy Core Concepts

5Lesson 5 Evaluation and Management of Virologic Failure

Learning Objectives
- Describe the management of intermittent and persistently detectable HIV RNA levels in persons receiving antiretroviral therapy
- Discuss the indications for and types of resistance testing for patients with virologic failure
- Utilize an HIV resistance database tool to assist in the optimal selection of regimens in persons with HIV drug resistance
- Summarize concepts of resistance with different antiretroviral drug classes
- Explain key considerations when selecting a salvage antiretroviral regimen in persons with virologic failure
Quick ReferenceEvaluation and Management of Virologic Failure Core Concepts

The Check-on-Learning Questions are short and topic related. They are meant to help you stay on track throughout each lesson and check your understanding of key concepts.

Screening and Diagnosis

Basic HIV Primary Care