Plasma lipid concentrations after 1.5 years of exposure to nevirapine or efavirenz together with stavudine and lamivudine.

OBJECTIVES

To assess long-term changes in lipids and lipoproteins concentrations associated with exposure to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

METHODS

Long-term analysis of plasma lipid concentrations was performed in patients starting first-line antiretroviral therapy with stavudine (d4T) and lamivudine, and either nevirapine or efavirenz.

RESULTS

Concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides continued to increase, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed a slight decrease compared with earlier reported increases after 48 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in body fat distribution expected to occur with continued exposure to d4T could offer a potential explanation for these findings.