With all the positive news of one-a-day combo meds and new research studies pointing out the benefits of a particular combination of meds being more favorable than another, I would like to know what kind of drug combination options are best for patients beginning new treatment and what other variables or options should be considered before starting a regiment for the first time given the recent studies??

There are many good choices available for initial treatment in the US and no one choice is the clear favorite. A good example of choices under evaluation is ACTG 5202 which is comparing starting either a NNRTI based regimen (efavirenz) or boosted PI regimen (ritonavir/atazanavir) + either one of two dual NRTI combinations that are once a day and thymidine analogue sparing (either Truvada or Epzicom). Individual issues important to factor in include renal status, interest in child bearing (for women), liver status (hepatitis B/C), cardiac risk, and many others. HIV specialists are used to discussing these issues with patients. KH