An optimal treatment for HIV infections has not yet been determined, and various combinations ('cocktails') of antiretroviral agents have been evaluated, or are currently being assessed, in clinical studies. A new combination with promising activity in patients with advanced HIV infection is efavirenz ['Stocrin', 'Sustiva'], indinavir ['Crixivan'] and lamivudine/zidovudine ['Combivir'], according to a study presented at the 9th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections [Seattle, US; February 2002].1In the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) 388 study, the addition of efavirenz, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), to the standard three-drug regimen improved the ability of the combination to prevent virological failure. In contrast, the addition of the protease inhibitor, nelfinavir ['Viracept'], reduced the efficacy of the same three-drug regimen in this study.