Results from a recent large study confirm that Viread, which is also a component of Truvada and Atripla, causes kidney damage in people with HIV. The results also indicate that the kidney damage increases with each year of exposure and is irreversible.

Based on the results, the study authors recommended frequent kidney function monitoring for people who take Viread, Truvada, or Atripla. They also suggested that people who already have kidney problems may need to consider other antiretrovirals.

“Patients need to be aware of their kidney disease risks before they…

Results of a recent study suggest that bigger waistlines are linked with brain impairments in people with HIV. Results also indicate that older age, a longer time living with HIV, and diabetes above the age of 55 are additional risk factors for impairment in HIV-positive adults.

“The increase in central fat that occurs with antiretroviral therapy may be important for more than increased risk of cardiovascular events ([heart attack] and strokes) and cosmetic reasons.  Central obesity may also cause brain dysfunction in addition to that caused by HIV itself,” said…

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned yesterday that the hepatitis C drug Victrelis has been found to reduce the efficacy of several Norvir-boosted protease inhibitors.

In particular, Victrelis reduces the blood concentrations of Norvir-boosted Reyataz, Prezista, and Kaletra.

The FDA stated that patients should not stop taking Victrelis or their antiretrovirals if they have been prescribed. However, patients should be closely monitored for antiretroviral treatment failure or hepatitis C treatment failure.

The FDA also encouraged patients to report any side effects they experience while taking Victrelis or…

Results from a recent study suggest that HIV severity is associated with the severity of some mental health problems and academic, cognitive, and social impairments in teens born with HIV.

The researchers noted that this study alone does not allow conclusions to be drawn about the causes of the associations identified in the study. However, they argued that their results suggested that certain developmental and academic problems are common in children and teens with HIV, even well-controlled HIV.

“Low CD4 percentage at a young age and high viral load at…

Researchers investigating HIV patient-doctor communication found that clinicians often speak more than their patients do on all topics, including treatment adherence. The researchers also found that physicians tend to use more closed or leading questions than open ones; make relatively few attempts to determine a patient’s goals, wishes, or values; and are dominant in conversations.

The study authors found that this was especially true in discussions concerning antiretroviral adherence.

“Half the time people don’t take their meds as prescribed, whether it’s antiretrovirals or antihypertensives [high blood pressure medication] or diabetes…