Where the hell is the long acting ARV?

[newnick61]

I remember a few years ago that there was talk about weekly or monthly ARV treatments. I see that a lot of folks are using the 123-tripla pill but even with one pill it is still an albatross tied around Nick's neck. Anyone know if there are some long lasting ARV's in the drug development pipeline?

[David_CA]

I don't have any knowledge of any long-acting ARV's.  However, once-a-day dosing (Atripla) might as well be none-a-day for me.  It's just another pill in the box.  I take meds 3 times a day for ADD, once a day for hypertension, once a day for vitamins; Atripla just blends right in with the morning pills.  I can see a long-acting ARV being great for those with compliance issues or children, though. 

[next2u]

yeah, i remember reading about those awhile back. something that is suspended in the blood stream like nano particles or whatnot. sounded interesting. hmm, maybe someone will chime in with more useful feedback.

on aidsmeds there is an interesting article touting new research that is being pursued as well. the link is below. have a good day.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_eradication_entinostat_1667_16750.shtml

best,
d

[Inchlingblue]

There is an NNRTI in development called Rilpivirine (from Tibotec) that is still in the pipeline. Aidsmeds.com says that:  The developer is experimenting with a long-lasting formulation of rilpivirine that may allow for once-monthly dosing.

The thing is it still has to be combined with two other drugs which would have to be taken every day. It's probably not within the next five years that there will be enough nanotechnology versions of drugs available that can be taken once a week or once a month, but you never know.

Who knows, there may be more of a functional cure available before that so it won't matter.

LINK:

http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/TMC-278_1619.shtml

And here is another link to an article called Nanotechnology May Yield Long-Lasting Meds

LINK:

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_rilpivirine_nanoparticles_1667_13977.shtml

[Assurbanipal]

I have to say I'm not wildly excited about a long term ARV.  What if you happen to be among the relatively few to have side effects?  How long do you want to live with something in your body that isn't working as planned?

This is based on my personal experience with Foxamax, which my doc put me on for osteoporosis.  It's a once a week drug.  I had the very rare side effect of a big jump in blood pressure and it took about 6 weeks to come all the way back down to where it usually is. (Three weeks out it was still 30 points higher, but that was a big improvement from the first week)

There's some advantages to drugs that only last a day or two... 

[Inchlingblue]

Assurbanipal: You bring up a good point, although the way I understand it, these drugs would also be available in "regular" versions so it seems to me that if someone tried them that way first and established that they had few if any side effects then they could go on the long-lasting version afterward.

[mecch]

I am still waiting for the scubbing bubbles that will rid my resevoirs for EVUH, darling. Wiped clean to the last brain cell. Gone, bee-otch!