When any drug is approved, a standard dose is determined. This dose may be safe and effective for most people, but for some people, it may be more or less than needed. If people get too little of an HIV drug, it may be less effective and lead to the development of resistance. If they get too much, they may have problems with side effects.
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) measures levels of drugs in the bloodstream. Based on the results, doctors may be able to adjust doses as necessary in different individuals. Ideally, this should reduce side effects from too much drug in the blood stream and minimize the potential for drug resistance from too little.
Drug level testing may be particularly helpful for HIV+ women. Some women have higher levels of certain drugs in their bloodstreams and experience more side effects than men.
These sex (male vs female) differences may be related to hormone changes that occur when women get their periods. Drug level differences also may be linked to basic biology and physiology of cells (there are differences in the cells of men and women). They may also be linked to weight differences.
TDM is not approved for use with HIV drugs yet and there are still unresolved issues regarding the practical application of results. But the hope remains that TDM can lead to better-tolerated regimens and more knowledge about HIV drugs in women.
No comments:
Post a Comment