|
|
For patients who are new to treatment ("treatment naïve"), the updated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Guidelines now list Truvada® (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) among the preferred meds for boosted protease inhibitor-based (PI) regimens, specifically Kaletra® (lopinavir/ritonavir), boosted Reyataz® (atazanavir sulfate + ritonavir) and boosted Lexiva® (fosamprenavir calcium + ritonavir). In addition, the guidelines continue to list Truvada as part of a preferred non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based (NNRTI) regimen with Sustiva® (efavirenz). Truvada is the only DHHS preferred, once-daily nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) fixed-dose combination available.1
|
Adapted from DHHS Guidelines, October 10, 2006. Available here.
* Efavirenz is not recommended for use in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, or in sexually active women with child-bearing potential who are not using effective contraception. † The pivotal study that led to the recommendation of lopinavir/ritonavir as a preferred PI component was based on twice-daily dosing. A smaller study has shown similar efficacy with once-daily dosing, but also showed a higher incidence of moderate-to-severe diarrhea with the once-daily regimen (16% vs. 5%). †† Emtricitabine may be used in place of lamivudine and vice versa. § Nevirapine should not be initiated in women with CD4+ T-cell count >250 cells/mm³ or in men with CD4+ T-cell count >400 cells/mm³ because of increased risk of symptomatic hepatic events in these patients. || Atazanavir must be boosted with ritonavir if used in combination with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
The new DHHS recommendations are consistent with the current status of Truvada as the #1 prescribed backbone with the preferred PIs: Kaletra, boosted Reyataz and boosted Lexiva.2 Truvada is also currently the #1 prescribed medication with Sustiva.2 Nearly 200,000 people take Truvada, so you're not alone in your treatment regimen.3
The latest update of the International AIDS Society (IAS)-USA Treatment Guidelines also recommend the components of Truvada. Click here to review these guidelines.
Truvada does not cure HIV infection or lower your chances of passing HIV-1 to others and must be used as part of combination therapy. Truvada should not be used with Atripla™ (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Combivir, Emtriva, Epivir, Epivir-HBV® (lamivudine), Epzicom, Trizivir® (abacavir sulfate/zidovudine/lamivudine) or Viread® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate).
Patients should read the Patient Information, including "What is the most important information I should know about Truvada?" and information on lactic acidosis, serious liver problems and flare-ups of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It is important that you discuss your treatment options and any questions that you may have with your healthcare provider.
References:
1. Department of Health and Human Services. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents (October 10, 2006). Available here. Accessed October 12, 2006.
2. PHAST retail monthly data; April-August 2006; Wolters Kluwer Health.
3. Synovate Healthcare Data; U.S. HIV Monitor; Q1-Q2; 2006.
|
|
