Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A meeting of a Canadian group with significant experience and knowledge in HIV management, consisting of five physicians, a pharmacist and an AIDS researcher, was convened. Their goal was to develop guidance for Canadian HIV-treating physicians on the appropriate use of raltegravir (MK-0518, Isentress(R), Merck Frosst Canada Inc) in HIV-infected adults. METHODS: Evidence from the published literature and conference presentations, as well as expert opinions of the group members, was considered and evaluated to develop the recommendations. Feedback on the draft recommendations was obtained from this core group, as well as from five other physicians and scientists across Canada with expertise in HIV treatment and antiretroviral drug resistance, and experience in the use of raltegravir. The final recommendations represent the core group's consensus agreement once all feedback was considered. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations were developed to guide physicians in the optimal use of raltegravir. The issues considered included raltegravir's role in overall treatment strategy, efficacy, durability of effect, rate of viral load reduction, resistance, safety/toxicity, pharmacokinetics and drug interactions.