Hepatotoxicity of contemporary antiretroviral drugs.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To date, more than 30 antiretroviral drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HIV infection. As new drugs with better efficacy and safety profile become available for clinical practice, older drugs are either withdrawn from the market or become no longer actively prescribed. We review hepatotoxicity associated with contemporary antiretroviral drugs, with emphasis on data from the past 3 years.

Recent findings: Although less robust data exists for side effects of contemporary antiretroviral medications recently approved for the management of HIV (i.e., doravirine, ibalizumab, fostemsavir, cabotegravir), the risks of substantial hepatotoxicity appears to be minimal with these agents.

Summary: Although newer antiretroviral drugs are better tolerated than their earlier counterparts, they are not completely devoid of adverse drug reactions, including hepatotoxicity. Monitoring patients on antiretroviral therapy for treatment-emergent liver injury should continue to be part of routine clinical care.