Preventing kidney toxicity

The risk of kidney stones can be reduced by consuming adequate fluids, which helps maintain drugs in solution. People taking indinavir (Crixivan) and other drugs associated with kidney stones are advised to drink 1.5 litres of water every day.

Patients with severe kidney disease should avoid tenofovir (Viread). According to the drug’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, patients with creatinine clearance rates below 50 ml/min must have their tenofovir dosing interval increased, since it takes longer for their kidneys to eliminate the drug. The fixed-dose combination tablet Truvada should not be used if creatinine clearance is below 30 ml/min, since the tenofovir dosing interval cannot be appropriately adjusted without also changing the dose of FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva).

People with pre-existing kidney dysfunction should also receive lower doses of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, except for abacavir (Ziagen).1

References

  1. Gupta SK et al. Guidelines for the management of chronic kidney disease in HIV-infected patients: recommendations of the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 40: 1559-1585, 2005
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.