The first once-daily single-tablet regimen for the treatment of HIV-infected patients

Abstract

Since the first description of AIDS cases over 25 years ago, great strides have been made in the treatment of HIV infection. The pursuit of new and novel therapies is ongoing, and a particular drive to simple regimens with low toxicities has been seen over the last few years. The arrival of the first once-daily single-tablet regimen is a noteworthy milestone. ATRIPLA (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, and Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, USA) is a combination of three drugs that have been well studied and are currently approved as first-line agents internationally. The studies that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of these drugs are reviewed as well as the potential drawbacks. Single-tablet regimens are likely to become the therapies of choice for those commencing antiretroviral treatment, and their place in today's management is discussed.