How can facial lipoatrophy be prevented?

As is explained in the last section of this lesson, it is still not clear how or why facial lipoatrophy occurs in HIV-positive people. However, a great deal of research has documented an association between certain HIV medications and lipoatrophy. This, in turn, has altered the ways in which many doctors choose to treat their HIV-infected patients. For example, Zerit (d4T, stavudine) is being prescribed much less frequently, in the developed world, and is being switched for other NRTIs in patients who are currently taking it, based on its connection to lipoatrophy. This, in turn, may help to reduce the risk of lipoatrophy. Recent studies have found that fewer people with HIV are developing lipoatrophy today than in the past.

Another possible way to prevent lipoatrophy is to begin ARV therapy before the CD4 cell count falls to very low levels. Fortunately, federal guidelines already recommend this.

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