Injectable antiretroviral drugs: Back to the future

Abstract

Current HIV treatment regimens provide sustained virologic suppression, at least partially restore the immune system and have limited side effects; however, they do not allow viral eradication and they are burdened by daily pill intake with a life-long commitment for the people living with HIV (PHIV). Injectable agents might represent a turning point in the care of PHIV, allowing less frequent administration of antiretroviral treatment (ART), more widespread use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and more stable drug levels in the blood, thus increasing the odds to get closer to end the HIV pandemic. The aim of this manuscript is to give a comprehensive review of injectable antiretrovirals that have been used in the past, which are available now, will be available in the future, and their role in the treatment of HIV infection.