Question
How detrimental it is to stop treatment while on NNRTI?
17 October 2008. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term, Resistance, Stopping treatment.
I take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all at i-Base for their support in answering my questions in the last two years. My questions today are: what are the consequences of stopping HAART? Given that resistance to NNRTI is easier to acquire than resistance to PI, how likely it is to become ill again after stopping treatment with a NNRTI based treatment? How detrimental are NNRTI and all other classes of ARV drugs in the long run to somebody on HAART treatment, who is doing well and does not have side-effects to complain about?
Answer
I am afraid, the current guidelines do not recommend stopping treatment. Of course, there are cases when it is necessary, ie, when the person has complicated treatment history and stopping is the only option, problematic adherence, certain resistance profiles, etc.
Having said that, perhaps the case that you describe has to do with the ‘I am tired o taking medications daily’ feeling. If this is the truth, then maybe some psychological help with counselling and peer support could be very useful.
Generally, if one stops NNRTIs appropriately and there is no resistance developed to them, then the person can go back to them at a future moment and still benefit from them. Same goes for the PIs.
There is some very detailed information about when, how and in what sircumstances to switch in the i-Base booklet Changing treatment.
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