Antiretroviral drugs in pediatric HIV-infected patients: pharmacokinetic and practical challenges

Abstract

Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has been shown to achieve high therapeutic efficacy in treating pediatric HIV disease. The delivery of affordable, child friendly, and easy to store and administer ARV drugs is key to the successful management of HIV in children. In recent years, significant progress has been made in scaling up the access to pediatric ARV therapy among children worldwide. Despite the improved ARV drug access, multiple challenges remain concerning palatability and efficient delivery of ARV drugs to children from infancy into adolescence. Data are limited regarding developmental changes in pharmacokinetics of individual ARV drugs, and pediatric and adult fixed-dose combinations. This review provides a practical discussion regarding the pharmacokinetics of ARV agents in pediatric HIV-infected patients, as well as the practical challenges of currently available formulations, such as palatability of liquid formulations, challenges of crushing tablets, and using adult and pediatric fixed-dose combinations.