FDA favors first drug for HIV prevention

Federal drug regulators on Tuesday affirmed landmark study results showing that a popular HIV-fighting pill can also help healthy people avoid contracting the virus that causes AIDS in the first place. While the pill appears safe and effective for prevention, scientists stressed that it only works when taken on a daily basis.

The Food and Drug Administration will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss whether Truvada should be approved for people who are at risks of contracting HIV through sexual intercourse. The agency’s positive review posted Tuesday suggests the daily pill will become the first drug approved to prevent HIV infection in high-risk patients.

FDA reviewers conclude that taking Truvada pre-emptively could spare patients “infection with a serious and life-threatening illness that requires lifelong treatment.”

Despite the positive results, reviewers said that patients must be diligent about taking the pill every day. Adherence to the medication was less than perfect in clinical trials, and reviewers said that patients in the real world may forget to take their medication even more than those in clinical studies.

First announced in 2010, Truvada’s preventive ability was hailed as a breakthrough in the 30-year campaign against the AIDS epidemic.

Because Truvada is already on the market to manage HIV, some doctors currently prescribe it as a preventive measure. FDA approval would allow the drugmaker Gilead Sciences to formally market its drug for the new use.

To read more of this story visit the USAToday website. Story courtesy of the USAToday.

9 comments
  1. I’ve been on Truvada and Isentress combo for a year now, and it’s amazing on how fast and quick it makes your numbers get better.. I’m Undetectable and perfectly healthy.

  2. I’m HIV poz and have taken Truvada and Isentress combo for years. Luckily I continue to have an undetectable viral load. While Truvada may guard you against HIV – it won’t protect you from other STD’s and Hepatitis (i.e. Hepatitis C).

  3. PK, why the hateful tone?? as I said, i am sharing information that comes directly from my highly trusted doctor, with whom i have ongoing dialogue – not my own uninformed opinion or advice (from my armchair). keeping viral load low is very different from preventing one from actually getting the virus since it’s only about 80% effective for this purpose. Hey, I welcome any breakthrough that shows promise in preventing the spread of HIV and steps towards a cure. But, we must be cautious about putting your trust in a drug that is suddenly perceived as something that will prevent an HIV- person from contracting the virus and give permission to open the gates to have sex with anyone and everyone.

  4. U guys are full of it….you are often preaching that everyone needs to get over HIV as its a “non issue” now. You push this idea that HIV is no big deal yet also market your shit with all this cross and bones, breeding rhetoric. You are making money off of HIV…off of peoples fears/excitement about risk taking. TIM will go under when there’s an HIV cure….it won’t all seem so scary and dramatic anymore. I’m fine with hot condom-less sex in porn…why all the drama though?

  5. I’m sorry btm4hung, that is a load of bullshit. You are completely misinformed. An antiviral is not the same thing as an antibiotic and taking it everyday will not “eventually make the virus immune to the drug.” How do you think the hundreds of thousands of people already taking it every day are able to continue taking it to keep their viral count low? Don’t spread your armchair medical advice unless you are an actual doctor who knows what he’s talking about.

  6. I’ve used this as a “morning after” prophylactic before after I thought I may have been exposed. This should not be considered a way to have raw sex with whomever you want and expect it to keep you safe from getting HIV. I just had a discussion with my doctor about these new findings and use of Truvada for prevention. Taking this everyday will eventually make the virus immune to the drug, just as if you were taking an antibiotic everyday for purposes of prevention – eventually antibiotics would not work any longer for you.

  7. This is definitely not an excuse to now go out there and fuck whomever you want to fuck and not protect yourself. This drug does not cure the disease, it simply helps prevent getting it for people who are in high risk situations, like someone whose partner is positive. Everyone needs to continue to take the proper precautions when it comes to having sex.

  8. Hiw silly is to think that this is ok to fuck without rubber, please treasure island media blog may join the pope in his preaching against condoms. I still use condoms with whoever I fuck!! And so should you who reading this. Gay way is only the safe way !!!

  9. Grrr… if only this announcement had been made here in the UK, and about 7 months earlier!

    Still, its excellent news for those who wanna fuck raw and not get HIV…

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