Which is better: Epzicom or Truvada?
The other debate was whether Epzicom works as well as Truvada for people with high viral loads (>100,000). In February investigators working on the AIDS Clinical Trials Group’s (ACTG) 5202 announced that early analysis of their data showed higher rates of virologic failure among people taking Epzicom than Truvada. These data were presented publically for the first time in Mexico City. ACTG 5202 compares 4 HIV drug regimens. Participants are randomly assigned to take either Truvada or Epzicom with either Sustiva (efavirenz) or boosted Reyataz (atazanavir). The study’s Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) — an independent group of scientists who get an early look at study results to ensure that no harm is done to its participants — found higher rates of virologic breakthrough among people taking Epzicom, who had high viral loads before the study. The DSMB decided to ‘unblind’ that group, and tell everyone what they were taking. The study remains blinded and unchanged for people with l
