Articles tagged with: Combivir
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Generic Version Of Combivir Is Now Available – The generic version of Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine), made by generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceuticals, is now available. Teva stated that it began shipping its generic form to pharmacies starting December 27. Generic Combivir was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2011 (see related AIDS Beacon news). For more information, please see the article in Businessweek or the Teva Pharmaceuticals website.
Truvada For Prevention Of HIV Makes Time Magazine’s “Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs” For 2011 – Results from several studies showing that a daily dose of the antiretroviral Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 60 percent to 90 percent were declared one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2011 by Time Magazine. The magazine noted that if the antiretrovirals were made widely available they could help curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The primary study, HPTN 052, was also chosen by Science Magazine as “2011 Breakthrough of the Year.” Gilead Sciences, which makes Truvada, applied for FDA approval to market the drug as an HIV prevention measure in December (see related AIDS Beacon news). However, Bloomberg noted that the drug costs $12,000 per year and has side effects, both of which may prevent widespread implementation. For more information, please see the articles in Time Magazine, Science Magazine, and Bloomberg.
Physicians Caution That Certain Anti-Seizure Drugs May Interfere With Antiretrovirals – New guidelines from American Academy of Neurology warn that certain anti-seizure medications, such as those taken to treat epilepsy, may interact with antiretroviral medications for HIV/AIDS. For example, the guidelines note that valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene) may increase the concentration of zidovudine (Retrovir) in the blood, increasing the risk of toxicity and side effects. Several anti-seizure medications also may interact with Norvir (ritonavir)-boosted Reyataz (atazanavir) and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir). The guidelines recommend that people with HIV and seizure disorders share with their clinician what medications they are taking so that drug types and dosages can be adjusted if needed. For more information, please see the guidelines (pdf) or the patient information guide (pdf) at the American Academy of Neurology website.
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Results from a recent study indicate that Truvada plus Sustiva is more cost-effective as a first-line treatment for HIV-positive individuals than Combivir or Epzicom in combination with Sustiva. Although the annual cost for Truvada is higher, its greater effectiveness leads to long-term savings in medical bills and treatment switches.
The authors noted that their results provide further justification for listing Truvada as a preferred combination regimen and Combivir and Epzicom as alternative regimens.
However, the study appears to be based on the separate costs of Truvada and Sustiva pills rather…
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this evening that it has approved the first generic version of Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine). The approval means that the generic version can now be sold in the U.S.
The generic drug will be made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. According to the company, the generic version will be available as of the fourth quarter of this year. Since Teva is the first company to apply for FDA approval of the generic form of Combivir, Teva will be given 180 days to exclusively market the…
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A study published last week in AIDS Patient Care and STDs found that Trizivir (zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir) may help people with HIV simplify their long-term maintenance antiretroviral therapy (ART) routine, decreasing harmful side effects and making the drug regimen easier to follow.
However, the study authors caution that their results, which include only 48 weeks of trial data, are still preliminary. Longer follow-up periods will be necessary to ensure the regimen will be safe and effective long-term.
Currently, the standard treatment regimen for HIV includes at least three antiretroviral medications from two…
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released new guidelines last week regarding treatment for pregnant HIV-positive women and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
The guidelines include updates on preferred regimens for prevention of HIV transmission during pregnancy.
According to the report, fewer than 200 children are now born with HIV in the United States each year, as a result of efforts to limit mother-to-child transmission.
Transmission of HIV from a pregnant woman to her baby can occur during pregnancy, labor, or while breastfeeding after the baby is born. To…