Self-reported Antiretroviral Therapy in Injection Drug Users

Abstract

RECENT recommendations for antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been released, and efficacy of the newer therapies has been shown via plasma HIV RNA levels.^1-3 It has been suggested that regimens with 2 reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor can reduce plasma HIV RNA below detectable levels in most cases.^4-6 Triple therapy use carries a responsibility to adhere to complex therapy with possible adverse effects.⁷ Nonadherence concerns include virus repopulation⁸ and cross-resistance.¹ There is a belief that active injection drug users (IDUs) are incapable of adherence.⁹ Former drug users are not known to be less adherent than other patients.¹⁰