Thus, both resistance assays and pharmacologic drug testing may be useful to improve treatment responses in experienced patients. Prospective Studies to Validate Therapeutic Drug Monitoring a. All individuals received four weeks of standard therapy. Pharmacokinetics were carried out at Week 2, and individuals were randomized to concentration-controlled or standard therapy at Week 4. Drug levels are taken whenever viral load and CD4 levels are monitored, and for viral failure, adverse events, and non-adherence.
Pharmacokinetic results are available to primary doctors within four weeks of sampling.
Although everyone's plasma is tested, only half the study participants will be randomized to receive therapeutic drug monitoring test results and expert advice, while control group results are not reported to the primary care physician. The study is about two-thirds enrolled. Eighty-six percent of people on nevirapine were receiving adequate concentrations. Of course, no one knows whether the target concentration ratios are correct. It's too early to know whether physicians are using the information from the therapeutic drug monitoring assay to guide therapy.