Trial run can predict who will adhere to HIV antiretrovirals

Participating in a two-week trial with mock medications before starting an actual anti-HIV drug regimen can predict how well a person will adhere to the regimen, with people who best followed dosing instructions ultimately having the best chances of achieving undetectable blood-based HIV viral loads, aidsmap.com reports. The study, conducted at two hospitals in South Carolina, showed that 75% of patients who were able to take 90% of their mock medications as directed during the two-week trial were able to achieve undetectable viral loads when given real anti-HIV drugs. Only about half of those who took less than 90% of their mock drugs on time had undetectable HIV viral loads on highly active antiretroviral therapy.