Patient Care and Support Measures Overcome Reluctance to Initiate New Regimen Containing Enfuvirtide

Abstract

Patients can be resistant to initiation of enfuvirtide therapy because of concerns about self-injection and related issues. Because the introduction of a new drug class can substantially enhance the efficacy of an antiretroviral regimen, supporting the patient in the introduction of enfuvirtide, a safe and efficacious agent in a new class, offers therapeutic benefits. In the present patient, who showed resistance to all three of the major antiretroviral drug classes, enfuvirtide was successfully introduced with clinic and peer support group assistance. The patient's acceptance was enhanced by the use of a needle-free injection system (Biojector), with minimal side effects and significantly improved virological and immunological control.