Current HIV therapeutics: mechanistic and chemical determinants of toxicity.

This review discusses current recommendations for initial therapy in HIV-infected individuals and the toxicity of certain components of these therapeutic regimens. In developed regions, therapy is headed in a direction of individualized treatment where AIDS can be converted into a treatable, chronic disease that is characterized by viral loads below assay detection levels. In developing nations, where sophisticated diagnostics are less applicable, treatment continues on a population basis. Because nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors remain a cornerstone of current recommended regimens both in developed and developing regions, the mechanistic and chemical determinants of mitochondrial toxicity are highlighted and discussed in detail.