National HIV/AIDS Testing Day: June 27, 2007

June 27, 2007, marks the 13th annual observance of National HIV Testing Day. HIV testing is a critical component of HIV/AIDS prevention. The purpose of National HIV Testing Day is to reach those who have never been tested or who have engaged in high-risk behavior since their last test. National HIV Testing Day focuses on encouraging people to know their HIV status and also strives to end the fear and stigma associated with HIV testing. Knowledge of HIV status can decrease the risk of unknowingly transmitting the virus to others, or enable a person to get treatment before symptoms of HIV develop. Those who test negative can also get information about protection from HIV infection. 

AIDSinfo is pleased to participate in the commemoration of this important day. Check out the new AIDSinfo National HIV Testing Day Web page, which includes links to Web sites that provide information about HIV testing and counseling, such as information on how HIV tests work, a search engine to help find testing locations in your area, recommendations for screening and testing, frequently asked questions, and more.

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Día Nacional de la Prueba del VIH/SIDA: 27 de junio de 2007

El 27 de junio se conmemora el 13° aniversario de la observación del Día Nacional de la Prueba del VIH. Esta prueba es un elemento crítico para prevenir la infección por el VIH/SIDA. La finalidad de este día es llegar a quienes nunca se han sometido a la prueba o que han participado en un comportamiento de alto riesgo desde la última prueba. En este Día se concentra la atención en animar a la gente a que conozca su estado de infección por el VIH y también se aspira a acabar con el miedo y el estigma de dicha prueba. El conocimiento del estado de infección por el VIH permite reducir el riesgo de transmisión del virus a otras personas, sin saberlo, o  buscar tratamiento antes de que se manifiesten los síntomas de la infección causada por ese virus. Las personas que tengan resultados negativos en la prueba también pueden recibir información para protegerse contra esa infección. 

InfoSIDA tiene el gusto de participar en la conmemoración de este importante día. Consulte la nueva página web sobre el Día Nacional de la Prueba del VIH de infoSIDA, que incluye enlaces a los sitios web donde se proporciona información sobre la prueba del VIH y orientación pertinente, como información sobre la forma en que funciona esa prueba, un motor de búsqueda para ayudar a encontrar los lugares donde se administra la prueba en su comunidad, recomendaciones para exámenes y pruebas, preguntas frecuentes y mucho más. 

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FDA Approval of Fosamprenavir Oral Suspension and Label Changes for Children and Patients with Decreased Liver Function

On June 14, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new formulation of fosamprenavir, also known as Lexiva. In addition to the tablet formulation, fosamprenavir is now available as an oral suspension for HIV infected children. Fosamprenavir is a type of anti-HIV medication called a protease inhibitor (PI). PIs work by blocking protease, a protein that HIV needs to make more copies of itself.

The recommended daily dose for children is not to exceed the recommended adult daily dose and should be calculated based on age, prior exposure to anti-HIV medications, and body weight in kilograms (kg):

• For treatment-naive children between 2 and 5 years of age, the recommended dose is 30 mg/kg fosamprenavir oral solution twice a day without ritonavir boosting.
• For treatment-naive children between 6 and 18 years of age, the recommended dose is 30 mg/kg fosamprenavir oral solution twice a day without ritonavir boosting or 18 mg/kg fosamprenavir oral solution boosted with 100 mg ritonavir twice a day.
• For treatment-experienced children between 6 and 18 years of age, the recommended dose is 18 mg/kg fosamprenavir oral solution boosted with 3 mg/kg ritonavir twice a day.
• Children can also receive tablet formulations of fosamprenavir. Children who weigh at least 47 kg can receive 1,400 mg fosamprenavir in tablet form twice a day without ritonavir boosting. Children who weigh at least 39 kg can receive 700 mg fosamprenavir in tablet form boosted with 100 mg of ritonavir twice a day.

Current clinical trial data are insufficient to recommend fosamprenavir administration once daily, alone or boosted with ritonavir, to children 2 to 18 years of age or at any dosage to treatment-experienced children 2 to 5 years of age.

Because fosamprenavir is metabolized by the liver, it should be prescribed with caution in HIV infected patients with decreased liver function. Dosage adjustments may be necessary with these patients. More information on recommended dosage adjustments for patients with decreased liver function can be found in the fosamprenavir drug record available on the AIDSinfo Web site.

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