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Long‐term and concentration‐dependent beneficial effect of efavirenz on HDL‐cholesterol in HIV‐infected patients
Author(s) -
Pereira Sofia A.,
Branco Teresa,
CôrteReal Rita M.,
Germano Isabel,
Lampreia Fátima,
Caixas Umbelina,
Monteiro Emília C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2006.02619.x
Subject(s) - efavirenz , medicine , cholesterol , confidence interval , high density lipoprotein , endocrinology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , reverse transcriptase inhibitor , gastroenterology , chemistry , antiretroviral therapy , immunology , viral load
Aims To investigate the long‐term effects of efavirenz on cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG). Methods Thirty‐four HIV‐infected patients who commenced efavirenz therapy were monitored for 36 months. Results In patients with baseline HDL‐C < 40 mg · dL −1 an increase in HDL‐C from 31 ± 1 mg · dL −1 to 44 ± 2 mg · dL −1 (95% confidence interval 5.9, 21.9, P < 0.01) was observed and remained throughout the follow‐up period. Median efavirenz plasma concentration was 1.98 mg · L −1 and a direct correlation between percentage of HDL‐C variation or TC/HDL‐C ratio and efavirenz plasma concentrations was found. Conclusions There is evidence of a long‐term and concentration‐dependent beneficial effect of efavirenz on HDL‐C in HIV‐infected patients.