Saturday, July 21, 2012

Using Antiretrovirals To Prevent HIV Infections - World Health Organization

New guidance - Using antiretrovirals to prevent HIV infections

  • People receiving PrEP must be HIV-negative. This is important so that future drug resistance is kept to a minimum

  • Those using PrEP need to be encouraged to continue using condoms

  • Make sure that those seeking PrEP do not have bone disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions which would make them unsuitable for ARV therapy

  • Making sure adverse events are carefully monitored

  • Helping those using PrEP remember to take their medications every day

  • Making sure that PrEP medications are easily and readily accessible

  • Regularly checking the HIV-status of those taking PrEP, and also checking for signs of drug resistance if infection is detected

  • For those who stop taking PrEP, ensuring they have access to HIV prevention services

  • Help countries find ways of using their resources to best use. This involves gathering more data on the cost-benefits of PrEP
  • Truvada (Tenofovir/emtricitabine) approved by FDA, USA

    This week, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), USA, approved ARV usage as part of an HIV prevention strategy, which should be used in combination with safe-sex practices (condom use), regular HIV testing, and counseling. The drug, Truvada, is estimated to cost $13,900 per person per year in the USA. The FDA said that it is the first medication it has approved which is indicated for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV.

    Truvada
    Truvada, a once-daily oral drug - is a combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine.
     

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