Effects of illicit drug use on adherence to prescribed antiretroviral medication

Am J Addict. 2003 Oct-Dec;12(5):455-8.

Abstract

This exploratory analysis compared adherence to antiretroviral medication on days that illicit drugs were used and on matched abstinence days in twelve subjects who used MEMS caps during participation in a clinical trial. Adherence on drug use days was lower in seven subjects, higher in one, and the same in four. Three subjects maintained 100% adherence despite illicit substance use on studied days. Thus, in a subset of patients, the actions involved in procuring drugs and the acute effects of using them contribute to non-adherence on those specific drug use days, associated with substance abuse. (Am J Addict 2003;12:455-458)

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Comorbidity
  • Counseling
  • Feedback
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Token Economy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Treatment Refusal / psychology
  • Treatment Refusal / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Illicit Drugs