DRUG-INTERACTIONS IN PATIENTS INFECTED WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

Patients with AIDS who are receiving optimal medical care, including c ombination therapy with antiretroviral agents and more effective proph ylaxis and therapy for opportunistic infections and neoplasms, are sur viving longer. However, the potential for drug interactions in these p atients is increased because many of the currently used antibiotics an d antiviral agents have profound effects on the hepatic cytochrome P-4 50 enzyme system, on renal tubular function, and on bone marrow functi on. In this AIDS Commentary, Dr. Piscitelli and colleagues have succin ctly reviewed the current state of our knowledge regarding the potenti al for additive or synergistic drug interactions that can result in en hanced toxicity or, alternatively, augmented therapeutic benefit, Info rmation on these interactions will become more important as more inten sive and effective therapy becomes available for persons with far-adva nced infection due to human immunodeficiency virus type 1.