Since the arrival of the first effective triple therapies, specialists and researchers have sought to reduce the impact of these treatments on the lives of people living with HIV. Solid clinical trials carried out in recent years now make it possible to consider therapeutic reduction in the management of HIV, without compromising on the effectiveness of the treatment, but under certain conditions. The Actions Traitements association provides an update in an information brochure intended for people living with HIV, as well as for those who support them (entourage and associations) or who take care of them (in town medicine and hospital).
25 years after the arrival of triple therapies in 1996, we are witnessing a major evolution in the treatment of HIV with the confirmation of the effectiveness of therapeutic relief. While triple therapy taken daily is still the “norm”, clinical trials have shown that it is possible to consider other treatment modalities. We can therefore reduce the impact of antiretroviral treatment on the body and the lives of the people concerned, by reducing it. In other words, one can act favorably and durably on the quality of life of the people, in particular by reducing the undesirable effects and the possible drug interactions.
The brochure “Therapeutic relief in the treatment of HIV: for whom? when ? How? ‘Or’ What ? »Presents the two weight reduction strategies that exist and are validated by conclusive clinical trials:
– Either we reduce the number of molecules present in the antiretroviral combination, by going from a triple therapy to a bitherapy, therefore from three to two antiretroviral molecules, to be taken seven days a week. This is what we called therapeutic relief “Molecular”.
– Either we reduce the number of times the treatment is taken, from seven to five or even four consecutive weekly catches. This is what we have called “sequential” therapeutic relief.
Warning: as recalled in the brochure, the reduction strategy which would consist of taking your treatment every other day is not recommended because it has not been validated by any scientific study.
Correct use of the drug and therapeutic relief
In order to promote the proper use of the drug, including in the context of therapeutic relief, the brochure recalls two important points:
- Not everyone can benefit from the therapeutic reduction and before considering it, the doctor must study the virological history of the person: duration since which the viral load is undetectable, occurrence of blips, level of CD4 the lower, previous resistance, etc.
- It is strongly recommended not to practice “wild” relief, that is to say without talking to your doctor. It is important that each therapeutic decision is taken in consultation with your HIV doctor.
The risk, in the event of misuse or lack of compliance, would be to see resistance to certain molecules appear if the anti-HIV treatment is not taken correctly as part of the relief. Indeed, if there is not enough active ingredient in the body to block the replication of the virus, it could become resistant, requiring a change of treatment. The conclusive clinical trials are still recent and it is with interest that the results of long-term follow-up should be monitored. It is also to be hoped that research will allow and therapeutic advances will make it possible to offer therapeutic relief to as many people as possible, regardless of the virological history of people.
Therapeutic relief seen by those who practice or prescribe it
Actions Traitements has already taken an interest in therapeutic lightening in the past, in particular during discussion workshops on therapeutic advances. The association also offers, on its channel YouTube, an interview video of Doctor Pierre De Truchis (Raymond Poincaré Hospital in Garches) in which the doctor-researcher details the existing reduction strategies. The association pays particular attention to enhancing the voice of the people concerned. This is why, ahead of the congress of the Society for the fight against AIDS (SFLS) in 2018, it carried out a survey on the perception and expectations of people living with HIV with regard to therapeutic relief. .
This desire is reflected in the brochure which presents several testimonials from people living with HIV in order to enhance their experience and the advantages they find in benefiting from therapeutic relief. In addition, health professionals also testify on the subject and on the reasons which led them to speak about it in consultation. Finally, a few questions / answers and practical information complete the brochure.
Where can I find the brochure “Therapeutic relief in the treatment of HIV”?
You can order for free the brochure “Therapeutic relief in the treatment of HIV” on our website https://www.actions-traitements.org/c commande/ or download it in PDF format.
For all questions, on therapeutic relief or another subject, our listening line is open from Monday to Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 01 43 67 00 00. Readers of the brochure are also invited to evaluate this therapeutic information tool, by completing the evaluation Form meant for that purpose.
Thanks to our partner, ENIPSE, this brochure is also available in bars, saunas, cruising clubs and gay meeting places throughout France.
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