Winter 2009 Susa Coffey, MD, HIV InSite Medical Editor Ian R. McNicholl, PharmD, BCPS (Added Qualifications-Infectious Diseases), HIV InSite Pharmacy Editor
HIV Meds Quarterly provides brief updates and analysis of new findings related to common therapies used by HIV clinicians.
Maraviroc In November 2008, maraviroc, the CCR5 antagonist, was granted traditional approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It had been given accelerated approval in 2007. It is intended for treatment-experienced patients with CCR5-tropic HIV infection.
more on maraviroc
Abacavir: Pediatric formulation The FDA recently approved a 300 mg scored tablet formulation of abacavir intended for pediatric patients. As with the previously available oral solution, abacavir is approved for children at least 3 months of age. The recommended dosage is 8 mg/kg BID (maximum dosage 300 mg BID). For patients who are ≥14 kg in weight and are able to take pills, the recommended dosage for the abacavir 300 mg scored tablet formulation is as follows:
Abacavir/lamivudine: DHHS recommendations The November 2008 U.S. DHHS adult and adolescent ARV guidelines designate abacavir/lamivudine as an "Alternative" NRTI combination for use in initial therapy. The decision to downgrade abacavir/lamivudine (Epzicom) was based on recent study findings of potential cardiovascular risk associated with abacavir, and of inferior efficacy when abacavir/lamivudine (as opposed to tenofovir/emtricitabine) was used in patients with pretreatment HIV RNA levels >100,000 copies/mL (patients also received efavirenz or atazanavir/ritonavir). See the Fall 2008 and Summer 2008 installments of HIV Meds Quarterly for further information.
more on abacavir, more on lamivudine
