RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy can lead to drug-drug interactions (DDIs), especially with ART. The burden of co-medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and self-medications, could be underestimated. We aimed to investigate the proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) with declared and undeclared co-medications, as well as their potential burden. METHODS: We conducted a national, multicentre, 1 week cross-sectional study between 10 December and 16 December 2019 in 23 French hospitals amongst consecutive adult PLHIV presenting for a routine outpatient visit. A standardized questionnaire filled in by the physicians assessed all medications and other active chemical substances taken by the PLHIV. RESULTS: Overall we enrolled 496 participants from 23 centres. Median age was 50.6 years; ART regimens included an integrase inhibitor in 61% (nâ=â302), an NNRTI in 34% (nâ=â169) and a PI in 14% (nâ=â70) of the cases. Co-medications involved 392 (79%) PLHIV, among which 85 (17%) received polypharmacy (≥5 medications). Previously unknown co-medications or other active substances were found for 32% (nâ=â159) of the participants. Corticosteroids (9%, nâ=â46) and proton pump inhibitors (10%, nâ=â50) were frequently administered. These co-medications did not differ according to age range. Illegal drug use was declared by 11% (nâ=â54) and OTC drugs by 23% (nâ=â113) of PLHIV. Potential DDIs were discovered for 11% (nâ=â53), leading to treatment modifications in 47% (25/53) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Potential DDIs that lead to therapeutic modifications remain significant whatever the age of PLHIV. More devoted time to identify co-medications and OTC treatment is needed in all PLHIV.