In previous issues of Treatment Review, we have reported on some exciting new research into the immune system. The goal of this research is to try and get the immune system to a better job of controlling HIV replication. It s been known for a long time that some people with HIV do not progress to AIDS or get sick. In t
The HIV viral load test became available for the first time in 1996. The test is designed to look for small pieces of the virus in a blood sample. The test then estimates the number of pieces of HIV that were found. The result is given as the number of copies of HIV. What the test actually measures is short pieces of H
It s currently thought that toxicity to mitochondria may be involved in many of the well-known side effects of NRTI anti-HIV drugs. These include: * peripheral neuropathy · * myopathy and cardiomyopathy · * myositis · * lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis · * lactic acid and lypodistrophy · * pancreatitis ·
A new protease inhibitor Kaletra (other name: lopinavir , formerly called ABT-378(R)) is the newest of the class of anti- HIV drugs called protease inhibitors . These drugs work by blocking a part of HIV called protease. When protease is blocked, HIV makes copies of it
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a recently discovered virus that can cause liver problems. HCV is most commonly transmitted through sharing contaminated needles. Transmission of HCV through unsafe sex is thought to be much more rare. Many people with HIV are also HCV co-infected. The government now includes HCV as part of t
Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions to the NRTI drug Ziagen ( abacavir ) were reported in approximately 3-5% of the people that participated in clinical trials. Several study participants who tried to restart Ziagen after having a hypersensitivity reaction had to be hospitalized, and two people died. This led to a wa
The anti-HIV drug Sustiva (other name: efavirenz ) belongs to a class of drug called NNRTIs. Sustiva was approved for prescription in 1998. Sustiva is now included as one of the potential first HIV treatments in the Public Health Service guidelines for using HIV drugs. Side effects of Sustiva can include central nervou
Nearly 1,000 HIV-negative women in several sites in Africa enrolled in a study to see if using condoms and a vaginal gel called nonoxyl-9 or N-9 (known as Advantage-S in the United States ) would prevent HIV transmission during sexual intercourse. All the women who participated in this study were commercial sex workers
Every month The Network co-hosts community meetings with Treatment Action Group (TAG), Community Research Initiative on AIDS (CRIA), and Gay Men s Health Crisis (GMHC). The next forum takes alook at two new groups of experimental anti-HIV drugs that are in development, entry inhibitors and integrase inhibitors. The for
The New York State ADAP Plus Program has recently added HIV drug resistance testing to the services it covers. Both genotypic and phenotypic drug resistance tests are covered (for more information on these tests, see Treatment Review #31). Medicaid in New York State also now covers these tests. In addition, several new
In Treatment Review #31 we reported on bone damage as a possible side effect of anti-HIV protease inhibitors . More information has now been reported in the scientific journal AIDS. Researchers from St. Louis studied 112 men receiving protease inhibitors. These men had been taking protease inhibitors for an average of
The anti-HIV drug Videx (other name: ddI ) was first approved in 1991. Studies have shown Videx can be an effective treatment and it is still commonly used as part of anti-HIV treatment combinations. One problem with Videx is that it must be taken on an empty stomach. Also, each pill has to contain antacid in order for
The Network s Case Management Program assists clients to access the care and resources they need. Our experienced case managers help clients to keep their private insurance, or to enroll in Medicaid or ADAP. If you have questions about the many other services available to people with HIV who receive services in New Yor
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition that can affect adults and children with HIV/AIDS. Molluscum lesions appear as pearly, flesh-colored, raised, firm bumps. These lesions can appear on the face, arms, legs and the skin between the genitals and anus. Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus, and some researcher
Every month The Network co-hosts community meetings with Treatment Action Group (TAG), Community Research Initiative on AIDS (CRIA), and Gay Men s Health Crisis (GMHC). The next two upcoming forums are: * October 18th - Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) & HIV * November 8th - Update from the National Women s Con
This information is from a study comparing two HIV treatment combinations. One combination was once-daily ddI taken with d4T ( Zerit ) and the protease inhibitor Viracept ( nelfina
Kaletra (other name: lopinavir , formerly known as ABT-378/r) is a new anti-HIV protease inhibitor developed by Abbott Laboratories . On September 15, Kaletra was approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ).
The anti-HIV drug Sustiva (other name: efavirenz ) belongs to a class of drug called NNRTIs. Sustiva was approved for prescription in 1998. Sustiva is now included as one of the potential first HIV treatments in the Public Health Service guidelines for using HIV drugs. Side effects of Sustiva can include central nervou
Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions to the NRTI drug abacavir (trade name Ziagen) were reported in approximately 3-5#37; of the people that participated in clinical trials. Symptoms of abacavir hypersensitivity are a general sick feeling, low grade fever and nausea, with or without vomiting. There can also be symptom
The latest edition of Treatment Review is available online, and in print. In addition, several Spanish language publications are now also available. All Network resources are available by fax, e-mail, and at http://www.atdn.org. There is no subscription fee to receive Information Bulletin, Treatment Review, The Simple
Studies have reported that the protease inhibitors Crixivan and Norvir can be effective when taken together as part of an anti-HIV treatment combination. However, many different doses have been used in these studies, and there is a lot of uncertainty over which is t
From July 9 - 14, 2000, the 13th International Conference on AIDS is taking place in Durban, South Africa . Over 10,000 people are expected to attend. Information from the conference is being relayed and reported by many Internet sites, and the Network will also cover important treatment information reported at the mee
Every month (except for a summer break in August) The Network co-hosts community meetings with Treatment Action Group (TAG), Community Research Initiative on AIDS (CRIA), and Gay Men s Health Crisis (GMHC). The next two upcoming forums are: July 19th–Diet and Exercise, and September 6th–Reports back from the XIII Inter
Over the years, there have been many reports that high doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may help fight HIV. A major problem with taking high dose vitamin C in pill form is that it can cause side effects such as diarrhea. A new study at Memorial-Sloan Kettering in New York City is looking at the effects of high-dose v
Protease inhibitors are a group of anti-HIV drugs that currently includes Agenerase , Crixivan , Fortovase , Norvir and Viracept . Shortly after the first of these drugs were a
ABT-378/r ( lopinavir , new trade name: Kaletra ) is an experimental protease inhibitor made by Abbott Laboratories . Kaletra is currently available through an expanded access program for people that need new treatment options. Kaletra is expected to be approved for prescription within
In Information Bulletin #8, we reported on bone damage as a possible side effect of anti-HIV protease inhibitors . More information has now been reported in the scientific journal AIDS. Researchers from St. Louis studied 112 men receiving protease inhibitors. These men had been taking protease inhibitors for an average
It is with immeasurable sadness that The Network reports the loss of Kiyoshi Kuromiya, one of the country s greatest advocates for social justice. This article, written by Kiyoshi s friends from the Philadelphia activist community, is reprinted with their permission. We ll miss you Kiyoshi. We regret to inform you that
The latest edition of Treatment Review is available online, and in print. In addition, several Spanish language publications are now also available. All Network resources are available by fax, e-mail, and at www.aidsinfonyc.org/network. There is no subscription fee to receive Information Bulletin, Treatment Review, The
Every month The Network co-hosts community meetings with Treatment Action Group (TAG), Community Research Initiative on AIDS (CRIA), and Gay Men s Health Crisis (GMHC). June s community forum will be about current issues in HIV treatment, including starting, stopping and switching anti-HIV drugs. Come and hear the late
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) provide free medications to people with HIV/AIDS who have no or inadequate health insurance coverage. Eligibility for ADAP varies from state-to-state, as does the medications and services available. The Network s Access Project has been tracking ADAPs since 1994, making available i
Agenerase (other name: amprenavir ) is a recently approved anti-HIV drug. Agenerase belongs to a class of anti-HIV drugs called protease inhibitors . The other approved protease inhibitors are Crixivan (
As previously reported in Information Bulletin, the anti-HIV drug Sustiva (other name: efavirenz ) can reduce the amount of methadone in the body. This problem is called a drug interaction. At a recent conference in Britain, Dr. Fiona Mulcahy made some specific recommendations for people taking methadone and Sustiva.
The purpose of Information Bulletin is to provide brief, user-friendly, accurate and advertisement-free information about HIV research, treatment, and care. Please call (800) 734-7104 with comments or suggestions, or view online at www.aidsinfonyc.org/network. A Spanish and English language directory of AIDS and HIV tr
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.