THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL OPTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION

Current therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is in adequate to control the progression of the disease. Although existing nucleoside analogues, such as zidovudine, have clear benefits, they al so have drawbacks, including toxicity and the possibility of drug resi stance. In addition, the timing of therapy and the use of monotherapy versus combination therapy as initial treatment have not been definiti vely established. HIV drugs currently in development include newer nuc leoside analogues, such as stavudine and lamivudine, nonnucleoside rev erse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors. The addition o f these agents to the antiretroviral armamentarium will expand the tre atment options available to clinicians who treat patients with HIV inf ection.