17–19 Ultimately, the purpose of the predeployment education is to prepare the trainees for the worse case scenario. In the event of a high-risk exposure, regardless of HIV status confirmation, immediate administration of PEP is warranted. With subsequent confirmation of HIV status through available Ribociclib solubility dmso testing, adherence to the PEP regimen is

paramount. Initiation of PEP should be immediate (ideally within 24 h) and continued for 4 weeks.20 In addition, the regimen chosen must balance potential toxicities against the level of exposure and the burden of disease (as characterized by the CD4 cell count, viral load, disease stage, and viral resistance) of the source patient. Unfortunately, Enzalutamide nmr PEP regimens are frequently discontinued due to intolerance of side effects, despite their known benefit in terms of reduction

of risk of HIV infection.8 Side effects can often be easily managed symptomatically with over-the-counter medications such as analgesics, antiemetics, and antimotility agents. The most basic PEP regimen recommended in the US Public Health Service guidelines includes either a combination of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, zidovudine plus lamivudine or emtricitabine) or a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor with a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (eg, tenofovir with either lamivudine or emtricitabine).8 Similarly, the WHO recommends zidovudine/lamivudine as the first-line therapy.21 The fixed dose combination of tenofovir/emtricitabine is generally better tolerated than zidovudine–lamivudine.18 Both guidelines recommend the addition of a protease inhibitor, with lopinavir/ritonavir listed PRKACG as the first-line option, for more severe exposures.8,13 The 200/50 mg formulation of lopinavir/ritonavir is preferred because this does not require refrigeration. Alternate

protease inhibitors for the expanded regimen include ritonavir plus atazanavir or ritonavir plus darunavir.8,20 However, the ritonavir used in the latter two regimens requires refrigeration, which may not be feasible for traveling medical trainees. The newly available tablet form of ritonavir does not require refrigeration, in contrast to the gel capsule formulation. Efavirenz can be added to the basic regimen instead of a protease inhibitor, but this drug should not be used for PEP in pregnant health care workers or those who are planning to conceive during the month of treatment. In contrast, due to safety issues, nevirapine is contraindicated for PEP.