# \[e-drug\] Correct use of antiretrovirals (cont'd) **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [March 12, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-correct-use-of-antiretrovirals-contd/16328 "2003-03-12T14:17:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Seyoum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@Daniel\_Seyoum](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/Daniel_Seyoum)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-correct-use-of-antiretrovirals-contd/16328/1 "2003-03-12T14:17:47Z")
E-drug: Correct use of antiretrovirals (cont'd) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In more developed countries the use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has changed the natural history of HIV-1 infection from a deadly to chronic disease. However, currently available antiretroviral agents cannot eradicate HIV-1 infection. Therefore, continuous and sustained suppression of HIV-1 replication is important. Some clinical trials reported suppression of HIV-1 replication in 60% to 90% of patients. However, in clinical practice less than 50% of the patients reach undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels. The reasons for this are multiple; however, the presence of a high proportion of patients undergoing suboptimal treatment and incomplete adherence to treatment are among the major reasons. This leads to the emergence of HIV-1 strains that become resistant to antiretrovirals. Antiretroviral drug resistance is associated with treatment failure, and consequently to higher morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is very important to develop a comprehensive approach on the use of antiretrovirals in resource-poor settings to treat HIV-1-infected patients and to prolong the usefulness of these agents in clinical practice. Daniel Seyoum Program Manager and Drug Information Specialist Global Assistance Initiatives The United States Pharmacopeia 12601 Twinbrook Parkway Rockville, MD 20852-1970 Tel: (301) 816-8242 Fax: (301) 816-8374 E-mail: dws@usp.org -- To send a message to E-Drug, write to: e-drug@usa.healthnet.org To subscribe or unsubscribe, write to: majordomo@usa.healthnet.org in the body of the message type: subscribe e-drug OR unsubscribe e-drug To contact a person, send a message to: e-drug-help@usa.healthnet.org Information and archives: [http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug](http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug)