HIV patients forget to take drugs

Many patients are on complex drug regimens

Almost two in every three people taking pills to combat HIV infection has forgotten to take important doses of medication, a survey has found.

Researchers say this is because the drug regimen for HIV is far too complex and burdensome.

However, failure to stick to a prescribed regimen can render people more susceptible to the terrible effects of the virus.

It also increases the risk of transmitting it to others.

Researchers quizzed more than 500 HIV-positive people across Europe.

They found that in the UK four out of every five patients would prefer once-daily treatment, and believed that it would help them adhere to treatment.

Once daily treatments are now available, but only 24% of UK patients were aware they existed.

Many pills

Dr Graeme Moyle, of Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London said: "HIV-positive patients sometimes find themselves taking as many as 20 tablets per day, in four separate doses.

"Studies have shown that the higher the frequency and number of tablets, the greater the chance that the patient will miss an important dose.

"This could mean that the therapeutic effects of the medications are lost forever, reducing our chances of controlling the disease."

Dr Moyle said once-daily treatments now available included 3TC (lamivudine), ddI (didanosine), and Sustiva (efavirenz).

He said: "It is clear from the survey results that the vast majority of patients are unaware of these treatments, and it is the responsibility of patients and clinicians alike to ensure that the designated HIV treatment fits in with the patient's lifestyle and is easy to remember."

HIV treatment usually comprises two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) with either an NNRTI or a protease inhibitor (PI).

This can culminate in an incredibly complex and intrusive treatment regimen which often takes over patients' lives.