New HIV quad pill may boost treatment – study June 30, 2012 - 14:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A new once-a-day pill which combines four HIV drugs into a single daily treatment is safe and effective, according to a U.S. study, BBC News said. It is hoped the four-in-one "quad pill" will make it easier for patients to stick to their medication, improving the effects of their treatment. A study in the Lancet said it could be an "important new treatment option". A UK expert said the pill was "great news" and was part of a movement towards once-daily doses. HIV is incurable, but managing the infection requires combination therapy - multiple drugs used to control the virus. This can mean taking several pills at different times of the day - and missing them means the body can lose the fight against the virus. Researchers and drug companies have combined some drugs into single pills so that taking the correct medication at the right time of day is easier. The quad pill is the first to include a type of anti-HIV drug known as an integrase inhibitor, which stops the virus replicating. Paul Sax, clinical director at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, said: "Patient adherence to medication is vital, especially for patients with HIV, where missed doses can quickly lead to the virus becoming resistant to medication." He led research comparing the effect of the quad pill with the current best treatment in 700 patients. He said the quad pill was as safe and effective, although there was a higher level of kidney problems among those taking it. "Our results provide an additional highly potent, well-tolerated treatment option and highlight the simplicity of treatment resulting from combining several antiretrovirals in a single pill. Dr Steve Taylor, an HIV specialist at Birmingham Heartland Hospital, said: "Without a doubt the achievement of a one-a-day pill has been a big advance in tackling HIV. We've come a long way from people taking up to 40 pills three times a day." However, he warned that too many people still had undiagnosed HIV. A quarter of people with HIV in the UK do not know they are infected. The researcher was funded by the biotechnology company Gilead Sciences.   Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Latest news Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill  Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent.Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement.First Canadian expert join EU mission in Armenia The first Canadian expert to join the European Union’s civilian mission in Armenia has arrived in Armenia. |
