Why Is Salvage Therapy Important?
Unfortunately, only half of HIV positive persons achieve and maintain an undetectable HIV RNA viral load with their first regimen. (The exception to this would be higher rates of undetectability in a few more recent studies, such as combination regimens based on lopinavir/ritonavir [ABT-378/Norvir; the combination of the two drugs is now called Kaletra] or efavirenz [Sustiva].) As a general rule, the likelihood of achieving undetectability decreases with each successive anti-HIV regimen. Thus, finding a salvage regimen that will be successful in achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load is important. The best combination and strategy will not necessarily be the same for every person with HIV.
