Drug-drug interactions: antiretroviral drugs and recreational drugs

Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov. 2014;9(3):153-63. doi: 10.2174/1574889809666141127101623.

Abstract

With the advances in antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are living longer, however, some patients encounter co- morbidities which sometimes require treatment. Therefore, during the treatment with ARV drugs these patients could take several recreational drugs (e.g. amphetamines, hallucinogenes, opiates, or alcohol) with a possible development of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). In particular, Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs/NtRTIs) are mainly excreted through the kidney and are not substrates of the cytochrome P450 or P-glycoprotein, therefore the DDIs during this treatment are minimal. In contrast, the other ARV drugs (i.e. non-nucleoside reversetranscriptase inhibitors, Protease inhibitors, Integrase inhibitors, chemokine receptor 5 antagonists and HIV-fusion inhibitors) are an important class of antiretroviral medications that are frequent components of HAART regimens but show several DDIs related to interaction with the cytochrome P450 or P-glycoprotein. In this paper we will review data concerning the possibility of DDI in HIV patients treated with ARV and taking recreational drugs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Interactions
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Illicit Drugs