Assessment of Itraconazole Pharmacokinetic With and Without Efavirenz Using the Capsule Formulation as Part of Talaromycosis Treatment in HIV-infected Adults

Talaromycosis continues to be a common opportunistic fungal infection among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Southeast Asia and remains a leading cause of death among this population. Itraconazole (ITZ) is an important component of talaromycosis treatment. In Thailand, the capsule formulation of ITZ is primarily used to treat talaromycosis but it is known to have lower bioavailability than the more expensive solution formulation. Limited data on the drug exposure of ITZ with the capsule formulation are available in adults PLWHA in Thailand. Moreover, the effect of efavirenz (EFV), which has been recommended as the first line antiretroviral therapy in Thailand, to ITZ level is not well understood. Thus, our aim is to assess ITZ pharmacokinetics with and without EFV in adult PLWHA receiving talaromycosis treatment with the capsule formulation. An understanding of the relationship between ITZ drug exposure and its active metabolite (hydroxyl-itraconazole) and treatment response is also planned to help optimize therapy.