Should the HIV medicines be changed after taking them for 11 years?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern. Based on the treatment guidelines, if a person on an antiretroviral regimen shows stability, improvement in CD4 cell count, and undetectable HIV viral load, there is no need to change the regimen or drug combinations. However, if there is virological, immunological, or clinical failure, or if there are drug toxicity issues, therapy may need to be switched or substituted. A sore throat can have various causes and may not be related to the antiretroviral regimen. Loss of voice requires a detailed examination and complete information. Pain on the sides of the ribs also requires evaluation, as it could potentially be drug-induced myalgias, but a comprehensive history is necessary. Changing medications after ten years is generally not recommended unless there are valid reasons as described above. It is crucial to adhere to the prescribed medications diligently. I suggest getting their CD4 count and HIV-1 viral load tested and providing their previous records for further evaluation. Based on this information, I can advise if any treatment switching is necessary. I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern. Based on the attached reports, it appears that your aunt has a high viral load (>1000 copies/ml) along with a CD4 count of 505, suggesting the possibility of requiring a therapy switch. If you have any previous records of her HIV viral load or CD4 count, kindly share them as it will help in assessing the treatment failure. In the meantime, I suggest she continue with the antiretroviral therapy (ARV) as prescribed. On the other hand, your uncle's CD4 count is 768, with an undetectable HIV viral load, indicating that he is doing well. I suggest he continue with the ARV medication that he is currently taking, ensuring regular intake without missing any doses. I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.