A Thumbs Up for Once-Daily Dosing

Highly active antiretroviral therapy dosed just once a day is more effective in reducing HIV viral levels than twice-daily therapy, researchers reported at the Third International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment. A study of U.S. patient records from 218 HIV-positive adults showed that 68% of those on once-daily regimens achieved HIV viral loads below 50, compared to 45% of those on twice-daily therapy. Only 19% of those on once-daily regimens experienced viral rebounds, compared with 49% of those on twice-daily therapy. The better virologic control was likely linked to better adherence to the simpler regimen, the researchers say, noting that 83% of patients taking once-daily therapy reported adherence of 95% or better, compared to 63% of those taking anti-HIV medications twice a day.