Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Author(s): Mathews Elizabeth
Issue: Sep/Oct 2000 - Compounding for Immune System Disorders
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Page(s): 334
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Abstract: Pharmacies can play an important role in the issues facing the growing population of individuals with HIV and AIDS. By educating the patient about the disease processes, as well as current and future treatment options, the pharmacist can help to improve the patient’s longevity and quality of life. The author provides background on this disorder and discusses opportunistic infections, the goal of therapy, HIV drug therapies, drug combinations, future research, and the role of the pharmacist in the treatment of HIV. She concludes that the compounding pharmacist can play an important role in treating this disease by emphasizing prophylaxis of opportunistic infection, providing patient education about the disease process and providing patient-specific medications that offer benefits and improve the quality of life for the HIV-infected patient.
Related Keywords: HIV, AIDS, immunodeficiency, immune system, viral, virus, opportunistic infections, infections, antiviral