Does TDM Work for All HIV Drugs?
TDM might work well for protease inhibitors and for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (non-nukes). Research shows that blood levels of these types of drugs affect their ability to control HIV and to cause side effects. The nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nukes) are a different case. They must be processed inside individual cells before they’re active against HIV. The blood level of these drugs is less important than the amount inside cells. Researchers are working on ways to measure the level of drug inside cells. Then they will have to show that these drug levels affect how well the nukes work, or the side effects they cause. TDM is not yet being used with the nukes.
TDM might work well for protease inhibitors and for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (non-nukes). Research shows that blood levels of these types of drugs affect their ability to control HIV and to cause side effects. The nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nukes) are a different case. They must be processed inside individual cells before they’re active against HIV. The blood level of these drugs is less important than the amount inside cells. Researchers are working on ways to measure the level of drug inside cells. Then they will have to show that these drug levels affect how well the nukes work, or the side effects they cause. TDM is not yet being used with the nukes.
