I came across this article from Kenya that talks about a new formulation of ARVs. It made me think that PLWH in other low-income countries should be asking for something similar.
Right now, the most used ARV in the hundred lowest-income countries is TLD. Kenya is buying a newer version for certain patients called TAF-LD. The new version substitutes a newer formulation of tenofovir. Changing the older Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) to the newer Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF).
The advantage is that the newer version has fewer kidney and bone density issues. For most young and otherwise healthy PLWH, the older version is not an issue, but for all folks over 60, kidney function declines, and bone density is lost. Also, for folks with other kidney-harming chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, adding TDF can harm kidney function in the long term.
For most of you, this may seem like a non-issue, but take this as a warning: if you're a PLWH taking ARVs, one day you'll be PLWH who is sixty ❤️
https://t.co/9hfi3Ge1NP