U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Merck’s Isentress (Raltegravir) for AIDS treatment. Isentress is an oral Integrase inhibitor, first in its class against HIV. FDA approved for Isentress use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.   Isentress (400 mg) is a single tablet taken twice daily. Isentress can only control virus levels in the blood but can’t prevent transmission. Even though, Isentress showed good results in 80% of patients but its high price will limit its use. FDA approved after observing 24-week analysis data of clinical trials in 700 patients who are resistant to most anti-HIV medications.   Mechanism of action of Isentress:   Isentress is the first drug to be approved by FDA which works by inhibiting the insertion of HIV DNA into human DNA by the Integrase enzyme and limits the ability of the virus to replicate and infect new cells. Other drugs work by inhibiting Protease and Reverse Transcriptase enzymes. Isentress should always be prescribed in combination with other HIV drugs but not alone.   Side effects of Isentress:   Diarrhea is the most common side effect while nausea, headache and fever are other side effects. Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis are rare adverse reactions with Isentress use.   In America: More than 1 million Americans are living with AIDS and around 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.   Worldwide: Around 40 million people are infected with HIV and 4.3 million new cases are diagnosed each year. 65% of these cases are reported from Sub-Saharan Africa.   More than 3 million people died due to AIDS in 2006, according to World Health organization.   I hope Merck will lower Isentress price to affordable level for the benefit of poor people.     … [Read more...]