Potent antiretroviral therapy has become the standard of care for persons with HIV infection and AIDS. Recently, however, a number of complications have emerged with the widespread use of protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens, including: hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes mellitus, and lipodystrophy. Concern over the possibility of premature myocardial infarction has led health care providers and patients to consider treating these lipid metabolism disorders. Statin compounds have beneficial effects as lipid-lowering agents, and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. Statin compounds such as pravastatin, simvastatin, and atorvastatin are increasingly being prescribed in persons taking PI-based potent antiretroviral therapy. It is important to determine whether there are significant drug-drug interactions between the statin compounds and PIs.