Safety and efficacy of simvastatin for the treatment of dyslipidemia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients receiving efavirenz-based highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of simvastatin for treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who were receiving efavirenz-based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and to evaluate the effect of simvastatin when added to efavirenz on CD4(+) count, HIV viral load, and frequency of attainment of patient-specific National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III lipid goals.

Design: Retrospective medical record review.

Setting: Veterans Affairs health care system in Dallas, Texas.

Multicenter evaluation of vancomycin dosing: emphasis on obesity.

Background: There is a paucity of data available regarding the dosing of antimicrobials in obesity. However, data are available demonstrating that vancomycin should be dosed on the basis of actual body weight.

Methods: This study was conducted at 2 tertiary care medical centers that did not have pharmacy-guided vancomycin dosing programs or other institutional vancomycin dosing policies or protocols.

Lipid-lowering efficacy and safety after switching to atazanavir-ritonavir-based highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

Study Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and lipid-lowering effects after switching from a non-atazanavir-containing, protease inhibitor-based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to atazanavir-ritonavir-based HAART in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Design: Multicenter, noncontrolled, retrospective study.

Setting: Three tertiary teaching hospitals.