The study of pharmacovigilance of highly active antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients

Abstract

The current study involves Pharmacovigilance of Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients at the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre, District Government Hospital, Udupi and at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The study showed that high CD4+T-cell counts 350-500 cells/µl, female gender, polypharmacy cotrimoxazole, presence of opportunistic infections (OIs) were found to be risk factors for Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) to HAART. Stavudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine showed superior rise in mean CD4+ T-cell counts recovery at 24 months compared to other HAART treatment groups. Initial CD4+ T-cell count and age group lt20 years are the factors that influence CD4+T-cell count recovery. Red blood cell disorders were most affected system organ class followed by Skin and appendages disorders. The impact of an educational intervention (EI) showed positive impact on patients knowledge, attitude, positively modified their beliefs about their ART and effectively increased antiretroviral medication adherence. The overall direct cost associated in treating ADRs to HAART was found to be high, thus increasing the overall cost of HIV therapy. Clinicians and pharmacist must focus to prevent ADRs to HAART thereby decreasing ADR related costs.