Abacavir/3TC Similar to Tenofovir/FTC for Initial ART

In a retrospective, nonrandomized comparison, the two nucleoside pairs yielded similar outcomes regardless of baseline viral load.

Current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services treatment guidelines rank tenofovir/FTC as the preferred nucleoside backbone for initial antiretroviral therapy (ART) while rating abacavir/3TC as an alternative backbone. This distinction is driven by concerns about the efficacy of abacavir/3TC in patients with viral loads >100,000 copies/mL and the potential cardiovascular risk with abacavir. Debate about the relative merits of these two nucleoside pairs remains active, however.

In the latest study on the topic, researchers retrospectively evaluated time to regimen failure (defined as virologic failure or a switch or discontinuation of the nucleoside pair for any reason) among adults who initiated ART in Canada between January 2000 and A…

Reviewing Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Abacavir/3TC Similar to Tenofovir/FTC for Initial ART

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Reviewing Author