Truvada Review
Essay by people • June 7, 2012 • Essay • 351 Words (2 Pages) • 1,463 Views
The article encompasses the recent endorsement of the drug TRUVADA by an independent panel of medical experts to the FDA for use as a preventative treatment against H.I.V. infection. This would be the first time a government advisory panel to the FDA recommends administering an antiviral medicine to otherwise healthy people with high risk of coming in contact with the H.I.V. virus through sexual activity.
TRUVADA is classified as an HIV-1 nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or NRTI. It is made up of two antiviral drugs (EMTRIVA® and VIREAD®, also NRTIs), which make it difficult for HIV-1 to multiply. TRUVADA works by blocking HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that is needed for HIV-1 to multiply.
Studies have shown that TRUVADA, taken every day, could greatly reduce the chance of becoming infected. It is not meant to replace the use of condoms, but instead its intended practice is to be combined with condom use and other safe sex practices, for extra protection from risk of infection.
Trials of TRUVADA over the last two years have led to mixed results. In 2010 one study found a maximum reduction in risk of infection of 90% when the drug was taken exactly as prescribed. But some on the panel didn't vote for approval of the drug because of concerns such as the drug's potential to initiate evolution of drug resistant strains of the H.I.V. virus, its lack of effectiveness in women, and the possible misconception that condoms are not needed if taking the drug.
Ultimately the drug won approval by the 22-member panel because they felt the benefits of the drug outweighed the risks. One member of the panel referred to the decision as "an amazing opportunity to turn the tide on this epidemic", which causes 2,000,000 new cases of HIV infection a year worldwide, and 50,000 new cases every year in the U.S. These numbers have remained almost constant over the past 15 to 20 years despite increases in condom use and access to them, and educational and counseling efforts in prevention of infection.
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