Understanding the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in the Aging Patient

The prevalence of HIV infection is increasing in the older population. Because of other comorbidities, older patients infected with HIV may be taking multiple medications, which increases the risk of drug–drug interactions. Treatment of HIV in aging patients is based on the consideration of adverse effects associated by antiretroviral therapy (ART) with regard to renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, metabolic, and bone health, as well as the potential for increased drug–drug interactions. Because ART is associated with both beneficial and deleterious effects, health care providers should weigh the negative effects against the positive effects of viral suppression. Health care providers should routinely review patients’ medication lists to search for significant drug–drug interactions and perform drug interaction checks using available resources.