Is Viread as Effective as Zerit?
Gilead Sciences reported the results of Study 903 at the Barcelona Conference. The study combined Sustiva + Epivir with one of the following: • Viread • Zerit The study involved about 600 patients who had never taken anti-HIV drugs. Half the patients had T cell counts greater than 279 and the other half had less than 279. After 48 weeks on the anti-HIV drugs, the 2 combinations produced almost identical viral suppression and T cell increases. The study seems to prove that Zerit and Viread are equivalent when taken as part of a first regimen. Sustiva for Advanced HIV A study called EFAVIP-2 (EFAvirenz in Very Immunosuppressed Patients) compared the use of Sustiva and protease inhibitors not boosted by Norvir. The patients in the study all had T cell counts less than 100, high viral loads (half of them with greater than 250,000), and started with an initial regimen that had Sustiva or a protease inhibitor as an anchor drug. More patients quit the study because of side effects and adverse
