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INTENDED AUDIENCE: Physicians, Physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses, pharmacists and dentists involved in the treatment and care of persons infected with the HIV virus.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this monograph, the participant should be able to:
- Describe the mechanism of action and the biological basis for the action of the reverse transcriptase inhibitors in antiretroviral treatment.
- Understand the three major therapeutic categories of reverse transcriptase inhibitors, namely the nucleosides, the non-nucleoside and the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
- Describe the dosage regimens, food and hydration requirements, side effects and major long-term toxicities of individual reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
- Be able to use these agents in combination therapies for HIV infection, named HAART or highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Purpose: The reverse transcriptase inhibitors continue to be the backbone for the crafting of the cocktails or combination regimens that have dramatically changed the outcomes for persons infected with the HIV virus for the past several years. Presently three groups of agents are available, namely the oldest of the group, the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors exemplified by the oldest agent for treatment of HIV, zidovudine or Retrovir, the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors exemplified by nevirapine (Viramune) and efavirenz (Sustiva), and finally by the sole nucleotide, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread), recently developed by Gilead Sciences. This monograph will discuss the mechanism of antiretroviral action, dosage regimens, side effects and long-term toxicities associated with the reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
ACCREDITATION: this material, at the point of presentation, will be approved for continuing education credit by the American Council on Medical Education (CME), the American Council of Nursing Education and the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE).
DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical and Pharmaceutical education Standards for Commercial Support, the Course Director for this activity has been asked to complete a disclosure form. Disclosures are described below:
Dr. Tina Edmunds-Ogbuokiri, Pharm.D., FASCP
Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and Consultant Clinical Pharmacist, HIV Outpatient Clinic, 136 S. Roman Street, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans.
Grant/Research Support: National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center, Funding Agency Grant Number: 1H4A HA 00066-01. |
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