Smart Living: Women and Men Vary on Sustiva?

Researchers in the Netherlands, analyzing data from more than 250 HIV-positive adults taking Sustiva, say women may respond differently to the medication than men, putting them at risk for suboptimal absorption of the drug, treatment failure, and Sustiva-related toxicity. Nonwhites also responded differently to the medication than whites, according to the study. Based on their findings, the researchers urge doctors to closely watch their female and minority patients for signs of toxicity and the emergence of resistance to Sustiva.