Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.12.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
"The current antiviral drugs are not as effective as we would like them to be in getting people well and back on their feet as quickly as possible," said Dr. Jay Lalezari of Quest. Those enrolled will be treated with either the standard flu therapy or an experimental one from Adamas Pharmaceuticals. Adamas' drug is a fixed-dose combination of amantadine and ribavirin as adjuncts to a neuraminidase inhibitor such as oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu). Each has a different mechanism of action, and together they can synergistically provide a higher level of antiviral activity, study officials said.
"These aren't new drugs; it is really a new way of using drugs we already have," Lalezari said.
"There hasn't been a lot of vaccine available in San Francisco," said Lalezari. "Most of the HIV-positive patients have not been able to vaccinate" against seasonal flu, and neither have staff working on the study, he said.
"If you have not had the Pneumovax in the last five years you should get it," area Dr. Marcus Conant advised the approximately 40 attendees. "It will reduce your risk of pneumonia. HIV-positive patients should usually get it every five years."
The study's Flu Hotline is 1-888-5-HIV-FLU (1-888-544-8358).
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