Once-daily combination therapy with emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

The safety and efficacy of a once-daily regimen that combines emtricitabine , didanosine, and efavirenz was studied among 40 previously untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The median plasma HIV RNA level was 4.77 log(10) copies/mL at baseline and decreased by a median of 3 .5 log(10) copies/mL, at 24 weeks, with 98% and 93% of patients achieving p lasma HIV RNA levels <400 and <50 copies/mL, respectively. The median CD4 c ell count was 373 cells/mu L at baseline and increased by a median of 159 c ells/mu L at week 24, The most common treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate central nervous system symptoms (73% of patients), diarrh ea (33%), rashes (10%), and biochemical abnormalities, Adverse reactions le d to permanent drug discontinuation in only 1 patient. The once-daily combi nation therapy of emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz was safe and dem onstrated strong antiviral and immunologic effects that lasted for the 24-w eek period of the study.