Dual Antiretroviral Regimens for HIV – Here to Stay

Abstract

It has been twenty-five years since antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) became available. Treatment has evolved substantially over these decades to become highly effective and produce substantial improvements in morbidity and mortality for people with HIV. The standard of care has been three-drug regimens (3DRs) which include three drugs active against HIV, occasionally with a fourth drug added as a booster agent. Efforts to provide potentially safer or more convenient treatment regimens for people with HIV have served as the impetus to relook at two drug regimens (2DRs). Several studies have led to the establishment of 2DRs as real options for many patients. This review summarizes clinical data for the established 2DRs and explores some of the remaining questions and concerns about these regimens.