Antiretroviral therapy in the year 2000

Advances in HIV treatment have led to a significant decline in AIDS related morbidity and mortality. Guidelines have been developed to assist clinicia ns in choosing combination therapy for individual patients and the monitori ng of patients' progress through HIV RNA plasma levels and CD4 counts. Reco gnizing the difficulties of lifelong adherence to complex regimens, studies now focus on simplifying medication schedules and understanding complicati ons of therapy such as drug interactions and long-term side effects. Pivota l trials, investigational agents, once-daily therapy, and directly observed therapy are also discussed.