Fewer Side Effects with Videx/Epivir vs. Combivir

[Ihavehope]

https://www.poz.com/article/Fewer-Side-Effects-with-Videx-Epivir-vs-Combivir-11412-7125

By Tim Horn, Senior Writer & Editor

(AIDSmeds.com) -
A team of Spanish researchers is finding that, when combined with Sustiva® (efavirenz), Videx® EC (didanosine capsules) matched with Epivir® results in fewer treatment discontinuations due to side effects than Combivir® (zidovudine plus lamivudine).  The 24-week data from the 48-week GESIDA 3903 study also suggest that once-daily Sustiva/Videx/Epivir is comparable to Sustiva/Combivir with respect to viral load outcomes, with a possible CD4 cell count advantage.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in its Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents, only Combivir and Truvada (tenofovir plus emtricitabine) are considered “preferred” nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) to combine with either a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or a protease inhibitor (PI) for HIV-positive patients starting therapy for the first time.  Videx EC combined with Epivir, prescribed separately but approved for once-daily use, is an “alternative” DHHS recommendation.  The reason for the more limited support of Videx EC and Epivir as a possible NRTI “backbone” to combine with suggested NNRTIs and PIs is a lack of data comparing this dual-NRTI combo to current leading NRTI pairings (e.g., Combivir).

[ARMANDO]

BE VERY CAREFUL WHILE TAKING THE VIDEX EC,I DEVELOPED PANCREATIS AND BOY THAT WAS SCAREY,I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!!!I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THAT DRUG DID CAUSE PANCREATIS AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN OFF IT BY MY NEW DOCTOR.EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW BUT IT TOOK ABOUT 3 MONTHS TO GET IT OUT OF MY SYSTEM AND START A NEW REGIMENT.