Improved lipid profiles and maintenance of virologic control in heavily pretreated hiv-infected patients who switched from stavudine to tenofovir treatment

A retrospective chart analysis of 66 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients whose treatment was switched from stavudine to tenofovir without any other treatment changes was conducted. The mean total cholesterol values decreased significantly within 3 months after the tenofovir substitution and remained significantly less than baseline values during 18 months of follow-up (mean decrease, 36 mg/dL; P = .002). Regimens containing tenofovir provided effective control of HIV-1 infection, with stable CD4 ⁺ cell counts and continued suppression of plasma HIV-1 level following the treatment switch from stavudine.