Antiretroviral drug treatment for HIV/AIDS.

As new antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and new tests to measure HIV infection have become available, primary care clinicians now have more management options than ever before. Viral load measurements are becoming more accepted as a means of assessing HIV disease and estimating the efficacy of specific drug regimens. Clinical status changes also mark times to review antiretroviral regimens. Potential benefits of combination drug therapy, including the new protease inhibitor class of drugs, have added a new sense of optimism to the care of patients with HIV. Whether combination therapy and protease inhibitor treatment will live up to their promise by inducing better long-term clinical results remains to be seen.