FDA Approves New HIV Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Edurant (rilpivirine) in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults who have never taken HIV therapy (treatment-naive).
Edurant belongs to a class of HIV drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). The drug works by blocking HIV viral replication. Edurant is to be used as part of a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen that is designed to suppress the amount of HIV (viral load) in the blood. Edurant is a pill taken once a day with food.
"Patients may respond differently to various HIV drugs or experience varied side effects. FDA's approval of Edurant provides an additional treatment option for patients who are starting HIV therapy," said Edward Cox, MD, MPH, director, Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Edurant was as effective as efavirenz in lowering viral load.
5/20/11
Sources
Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves New HIV Treatment. Press release. May 20, 2011.