Double jeopardy: the hazards of drug-drug interactions.

Dr. Charles Flexner, an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses different issues involving drug interactions. Flexner states that some interactions exist between street drugs and HIV medications, including between benzodiazepines and Ritonavir (Norvir) or Nelfinavir (Viracept). He also reports on toxicity and death cases associated with MDMA (ecstasy) and protease inhibitors. Drugs for opportunistic infections are also described; most are not implicated in clinically significant drug interactions, nor are most over-the-counter medications. Dr. Flexner's opinions on protease-sparing regimens and lipodystrophy are also provided.