New HIV Drug Approved By FDA

First Posted: Jan 30, 2015 02:43 PM EST
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two fixed-dose HIV pills that combine protease inhibitors produced by Gilead Sciences: One by Bristol-Myers Squibb and the other by Johnson & Johnson.

"We are pleased to provide physicians and patients with an important new option to treat HIV; atazanavir with cobicistat delivers sustained efficacy and safety through 48 weeks, as demonstrated through its rigorous clinical development plan, including a head-to-head Phase III trial," expressed Murdo Gordon, Head of Worldwide Markets, Bristol-Myers Squibb, in a news release.

Evotaz is a one-daily pill that contains Reyataz, otherwise known as atazanavir, a protease inhibitor with the booster cobicistat via Bristol-Myers.

Once-daily Prezcobix combines protease inhibitor darunavir, or Prezista, with cobicistat, via J & J.

Numerous types of treatments are needed for individuals with HIV as the health problem is not a one-size-fits-all issue.

At this time, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. However, there are antiretroviral drug treatments and combination therapies that have proven to significantly extend and enhance the lives of patients suffering from the health issue.

There are more than 20 approved antiretroviral drugs but not all are licensed or available in every country.

Statistics show that more than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 (14 percent) are unaware of their infection. Furthermore, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with other men (MSM), particularly young black/African American MSM, are most seriously affected by HIV, according to AIDS.gov.

If you are concerned about your risk due to a recent sexual encounter, etc., don't wait to get tested. Previous studies have shown that early treatments can sometimes help to halt the progression of the virus in some individuals. 

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