Issue No. 28

First One-Pill, Once-a-Day Treatment for HIV/AIDS Approved Yesterday

Wednesday, July 12, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced approval of Atripla tablets, a fixed-dose combination of three widely-used antiretroviral drugs ( Sustiva, Emtriva, and Viread).

The approval of Atripla is especially significant because it simplifies the treatment regimen for HIV-1 infected adults and can help patients adhere to treatment, resulting in long-term effective control of HIV-1. It will also afford a more accessible treatment option to patients in developing countries. Read more in the complete FDA release.

Reverset Trials Halted; Investigational NRTI’s Future Unclear

Development of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) dexelvucitabine, also known as Reverset or DPC 817, has been discontinued by the licensed manufacturer, Incyte Corp. During a Phase II trial evaluating dexelvucitabine monotherapy, 40% of patients receiving dexelvucitabine 200 mg daily experienced Grade 4 hyperlipasemia (abnormally high blood levels of the lipase enzyme), possibly reflecting damage to the pancreas. All trials have been halted. Pharmasset, Inc, which owns the rights to dexelvucitabine, has not yet decided to progress with or withdraw further study of the drug.

To see a list of other NRTIs in clinical development, with links to both professional and patient fact sheets in English and Spanish, click here.

Check Out the AIDSinfo Travel Page

Preparing to travel can present challenges for even the most seasoned travelers. People living with HIV/AIDS face the additional tasks of protecting themselves from travel-related pathogens and adhering to anti-HIV treatment on an altered schedule. AIDSinfo has updated our HIV & Travel page. We hope this page will be useful in planning successful trips here in the United States and abroad. Bon Voyage!