Sustiva, Efavirenz News

The integrase inhibitor raltegravir has been approved by the medicines regulatory authority in the United States for use by individuals starting HIV treatment for the first time.

Main Category: Vascular Also Included In: HIV / AIDS ; Primary Care / General Practice ; Public Health Article Date: 08 Jul 2009 - 0:00 PDT EARLY RELEASES: 1. Travel Associated With Three-Fold Increase in Risk for Venous Thromboembolism Hundreds of millions of people will embark on long-distance journeys this summer.

This review of the experimental NNRTI rilpivirine summarizes studies demonstrating that the drug has potent activity against HIV, including against NNRTI-resistant strains of the virus.

On July 8, 2009 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved use of the integrase Inhibitor raltegravir as therapy for treatment-naive HIV Patients.

Gradually increasing efavirenz doses during the first two weeks of therapy with the drug reduces the incidence and severity of neuropsychiatric and sleep-related side-effects without compromising the effectiveness of the drug, Spanish investigators report in the August 4th edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine .

More Treatment News July 7, 2009 Starting efavirenz at a lower dose and steadily increasing it over two weeks might help decrease the risk or severe dizziness, hallucinations and trouble concentrating - common central nervous system side effects of the drug - according to a study published in the August 4 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine .

There are currently several new anti-HIV drugs that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or that are in clinical testing.

Antiretrovirals used to treat HIV-infected patients have the potential to adversely affect serum lipid profiles and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease which is an emerging concern among HIV-infected patients.

Simplification of HAART to a Single-tablet Regimen of Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Summary: HIV patients are more likely to achieve good adherence to treatment if they use a regimen that consists of fewer pills.

Intensification of HAART Does Not Reduce Persistent Low Levels of HIV RNA in Stable Reservoirs of Infection By Ronald Baker, PhD Currently recommended combination antiretroviral therapy regimens can reduce HIV viral load to "undetectable," or 1 copy/mL during at least 1 screening visit before intensification, and 9 had HIV RNA levels persistently ...

They report the case of an individual whose viral load became detectable... more>

More Treatment News May 22, 2009 Combining the herbal therapy gingko biloba with efavirenz could result in efavirenz treatment failure, according to a single case report published in the June 1 issue of AIDS and reported by aidsmap.

Study Finds Nevirapine Suppresses Residual HIV Viremia More than Other Antiretroviral Drugs Nevirapine Modern combination antiretroviral therapy can typically reduce HIV viral load to "undetectable" in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, but more sensitive tests may detect residual viremia, according to a study published in the ...

More Treatment News May 21, 2009 Ninety-eight percent of people with HIV on a regimen containing efavirenz tested false positive for benzodiazepines - prescription sedatives - on a widely used drug test, according to study results published online in Clinical Infectious Diseases .

The herbal remedy Ginkgo should not be taken with the anti-HIV drug efavirenz, Dutch investigators warn in the June 1st edition of AIDS .

More Treatment News May 5, 2009 Can using lower doses of certain antiretrovirals deliver a high degree of effectiveness while reducing the risk of side effects and the cost associated with HIV treatment? A series of studies, funded with a $12.4 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is determined to find out.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted $12.4 million to the University of New South Wales to study whether lower doses of some commonly used antiretroviral drugs are as effective as currently prescribed doses.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Copayment Assistance Programs for Atazanavir , Efavirenz , and Atripla Bristol-Myers Squibb this month announced new copayment assistance programs for 3 of its antiretroviral medications.

Long-term Study Finds No Link between Maternal Use of Antiretroviral Therapy -- including Efavirenz -- and Birth Defects Antiretroviral treatment guidelines typically state that efavirenz should not be used by pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects.

A study published in the April 27th issue of AIDS indicates that weight gain may be a reliable predictor of survival in underweight men and women starting antiretroviral therapy.