HIV-positive transgender women, concerned about possible drug-drug interactions between their hormone and antiretroviral (ARV) medications, may not take either or both regimens as prescribed, Medscape reports.

Researchers surveyed 87 trans women at a community HIV center in Los Angeles. Forty-seven (54 percent) of the women were living with the virus and on ARVs.

Findings from the survey were presented in a poster at the 9th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science in Paris (IAS 2017).

Thirty-one (66 percent) of the HIV-positive women were taking hormone therapy; 11 women (34 percent) got their feminizing treatment from outside the medical system. Twenty-four women (57 percent) had concerns about drug-drug interactions between hormone and ARV treatment; 21 women (49 percent) had discussed this concern with a clinician.

Forty percent of the trans women did not take their hormone or ARV treatment as prescribed because of drug-drug interaction concerns, including 12 (28 percent) who took their HIV medications differently and 12 (28 percent) who took their hormone regimen differently.

The researchers also found that accessing transgender-specific care and better adherence to hormone therapy was associated with higher adherence to ARV treatment.

To read the Medscape article, click here (free registration with the site is required).

To read the conference abstract, click here.