Are Weekend Drug Holidays Possible?

Researchers in Boston and Uganda have launched a 48-week study to determine whether some HIV patients can take their anti-HIV medications only on weekdays, a move that could reduce drug-related side effects and slash treatment costs by up to 30%. A five-day-on and two-day-off regimen not only would benefit poor HIVers in developing countries but also could be useful for HIV patients in Western nations who stick to their regimens on weekdays but sometimes forget to take their meds'or don't take them on time'during weekends. Early data from the Boston study shows that 23 of 26 study subjects taking weekend treatment breaks maintained viral suppression, but researchers say longer-term study is still needed before drawing any specific conclusions.