Sustiva
The New Pill on the Block
New drug offers
alternative to Protease Inhibitors
Crix Belly, buffalo humps, dangerous levels of fat in the
blood, and breast increases are the price many women are paying to fight HIV
with Protease Inhibitors. What’s a woman to do? One option is to start a
group of drugs that does not include a protease inhibitor, also known as
protease sparing regimens. A drug recently approved by the FDA which could be
used in one of these regimens is called SUSTIVA (efavirenz or DMP-266) and is
sold by DuPont Pharma.
Does it work?
The simple answer is yes, Sustiva
has been shown in early studies to reduce viral load and increase CD4 cell
counts. The most commonly referred to study is the DuPont study 006 comparing
the combinations of AZT + 3TC + Sustiva to AZT + 3TC + Crixivan to Sustiva +
Crixivan. This study looked at 450 people of which 67 (14%) were women. The 74%
of people who took Sustiva had their viral loads go to below the level of
detection (400 copies m/l). The people in this study had only been on Sustiva
for 36 weeks so it is impossible to say if Sustiva will have a long-term effect
for people living with HIV /AIDS.
Sustiva and Oral Contraceptives
DuPont has not
been able to study Sustiva's impact on all available oral contraceptives. Until
there is more information, women should not use oral contraceptives alone when
taking Sustiva, a barrier contraceptive should also be used. It is important to
prevent accidental pregnancy when using Sustiva because of the risk of birth
defects.
Pregnancy and Sustiva
Pregnancy and Sustiva
don’t mix. DuPont studied Sustiva in pregnant monkeys giving them Sustiva
throughout their pregnancy. Three of the 20 pregnancies resulted in serious
birth defects that were attributed to the mother taking Sustiva. Based on this
study, it is suggested that any woman who has sex with men and is considering
starting Sustiva should have a pregnancy test first and should use a birth
control method other than an oral contraceptive (i.e. "male" or "female"
condoms, diaphragm, etc.). If you know you are pregnant or are considering
getting pregnant you should not use Sustiva.
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SUSTIVA SIDE EFFECTS:
Sustiva is easy to
take but there are side effects seen in clinical trials. The most common side
effects are central nervous system (CNS) symptoms and rash. Sustiva can effect
your dreams, making them very vivid and some people report problems with
nightmares. Others have had problems with dizziness and trouble concentrating.
Most side effects last only a few weeks and might not be as much of a problem
if taken right before bed. Some people get a rash, but for most it is mild and
can be treated without stopping Sustiva. The rash usually appears in the first
few days of beginning Sustiva. If you develop a rash call your doctor before
you stop taking the medicine. |
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