Several studies presented at the 2010 International AIDS Conference found that treatment regimens containing Viread or Norvir are linked to kidney disease in people with HIV.

People with HIV are more prone to kidney disease, both because of the HIV virus, which can infect and kill kidney cells, and from damage caused by the antiretrovirals used to treat it. Viread (tenofovir), in particular, has been associated with loss of kidney function.

Viread is commonly used in combination with other antiretroviral medications and is an ingredient in Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir) and Truvada…

Several studies presented at the 2010 International AIDS Conference examined lipodystrophy and the effects of antiretroviral medications on cholesterol levels.

Lipodystrophy is a common side effect associated with HIV treatments. It causes changes in fat distribution that can lead to changes in body shape, increased levels of lipids (cholesterol and fatty acids) in the blood, and greater risk of heart problems.

Symptoms of lipodystrophy include loss of fat in the legs, face, arms, and buttocks; and an increase of fat in the stomach, upper back or neck, and breasts.

One…

Researchers presented results of five studies involving new HIV treatment regimens yesterday as part of the 2010 International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria. Three of the studies involved simplified treatments meant to reduce side effects, and the other two studies presented clinical trial results for potential new antiretrovirals.

The studies, which yielded mostly positive results, illustrate the growing variety of treatment and medication options for people with HIV.

The three studies involving new treatment regimens all use Isentress (raltegravir), an integrase inhibitor approved by the United States Food and Drug…

Gilead Sciences reported last week that it has settled on a formulation for a therapy that combines Johnson & Johnson’s new TMC278 (rilpivirine hydrochloride) and its own drug Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) into a single pill.

In a press release, Gilead said it planned to file a New Drug Application (NDA) for the combined therapy once TMC278’s is approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Johnson & Johnson, which owns Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, the maker of TMC278, announced recently that it expects to file an NDA for the drug in…

Gilead Sciences has officially announced the start of a new Phase 3 clinical trial program investigating the fixed dose, single tablet “Quad” regimen.

The “Quad” regimen includes elvitegravir, cobicistat (GS 9350), Emtriva (emtricitabine), and Viread (tenofovir). Quad therapy combines different drugs into a single pill, which makes adherence to a therapeutic regimen easier for HIV patients.

“Efficacy and safety results from the Phase 2 study suggest that the Quad may represent an important new option for patients with HIV,” said Dr. Norbert Bischofberger, Executive Vice President of Research and Development…