Injecting Drug use is a major risk factor for the acquisition and transmission of HIV and accounts for approximately 5-10% of HIV infections worldwide. Opiate Substitution Treatment using Methadone and Buprenorphine reduces the HIV risk for people who inject drugs by up to half. Therefore proper diagnosis and treatment of opiate dependence are essential. Both Methadone and Buprenorphine have been shown to interact with a lot of anti-retroviral medications. This may lead to potentially toxic drug interactions. This could also lead either to withdrawal symptoms or to morbidity/mortality by overdose if these medications are not prescribed carefully.

Our objectives were to look for the relationship between substance abuse and HIV and to analyze the interactions and adverse reactions when combining Methadone/Buprenorphine and Antiretrovirals.

Using MEDLINE, English literature was reviewed from 1990 to June 2014. The search strategy was 'Substance abuse” OR 'Drug abuse” OR Methadone OR Buprenorphine AND HIV OR AIDS OR HAART.

Subjects who use drugs are more prone to acquire HIV because of increased risky behaviours. Substitute Opiate treatment may improve adhesion to the antiretroviral treatment and also leads to a reduction in risk-taking behaviours. In the poster, we will be presenting the interactions of each Anti-Retroviral agent with both Methadone and Buprenorphine.

Choosing the best therapeutic intervention in each case, particularly considering those drugs with least interactions and adverse effects is crucial for the success of Opiate substitution programme and also to combat the HIV infection.