In this article, we will discuss Antiretroviral Agents HIV Drugs-Dosage (Part-I). So, let’s get started.
Antiretroviral Agents (HIV Drugs)
Abacavir 8 mg/kg q 12 hr for children >3 months of age with maximum dose of 300 mg.
Adult dose: 300 mg b.d. or 600 mg o.d.
Indication: Use as a second line drug.
(Abamune, abavir, virol, synabac, ulcom, abec, ziagen tab 300 mg; susp 20 mg/ml).
Didanosine Neonatal dose up to 90 days: 50 mg/m² q 12 hr. ≥3-8 months: 100 mg/m² q 12 hr. Pediatric dose (>8 months): 120 mg/m² q 12 hr (range 90-150 mg/m²); maximum 200 mg/dose.
Adolescent dose: <60 kg 250 mg o.d. and >60 kg 400 mg o.d., give 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals.
Side Effects: Headache, pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, optic neuritis, and liver dysfunction.
(Videx EC, DDI, Ddretro, virosine, dinex tabs 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg; dinex EC caps 250 mg, 400 mg, oral susp 10 mg/ml).
Efavirenz (EFV) Pediatric dose for 10 to 15 kg: 200 mg o.d., 15 to 20 kg: 250 mg o.d., 20 to 25 kg: 300 mg o.d., 25 to 32.5 kg: 350 mg o.d., 32.5 to 40 kg: 400 mg 0.d., >40 kg 600 mg o.d. In case of oral suspension, use a 30% higher dose.
Caution: Severe CNS and psychiatric symptoms can be precipitated
(Sustiva caps 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg; efirenz, efavir, estiva, evirenz caps 200 mg and 600 mg; eferven, efcure tabs 200 mg, 600 mg; oral suspension 30 mg/ml).
Lamivudine (3TC) Reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combination with zidovudine and/or other anti-HIV drugs.
Neonates: 4 mg/kg/day p.o. q 12 hr; Children: 4 mg/kg/dose p.o. q 12 hr. Maximum daily dose is 150 mg.
Adult dose: 300 mg o.d.
(Lamidac, hepavud, hepitec, lamivir, virolam tab 100 mg; ladiwin, lamda, cytocom, lamivir, retrolam, virolam tab 150 mg; susp 10 mg/ml).
Lopinavir plus Ritonavir 14 days to 12 months: 16 mg/kg lopinavir + 4 mg/kg ritonavir q 12 hr with food; >12 months-18 years: <15 kg: 12 mg/kg lopinavir + 3 mg/kg ritonavir q 12 hr with food; 15-40 kg: 10 mg/kg lopinavir + 2.5 mg/kg ritonavir q 12 hr with food. Administer with food to enhance bioavailability.
Indication: Alternative first line ART regime for children <3 yrs age or <10 kg not tolerating nevirapine or in infants with prior exposure to NNRTI. Protease inhibitor often effective against saquinavir and zidovudine-resistant strains of HIV virus. Ritonavir-resistant strains are often cross-resistant with other agents.
(Lopimune, ritocom, ritomax-L, V-Letra cap contains lopinavir 133.3 mg and ritonavir 33.3 mg).