NEWS IN BRIEF: Saquinavir soft gel

NEWS IN BRIEF: Saquinavir soft gel

AIDS Treatment Update, Issue 63, March 1998
Edward King

The manufacturers of saquinavir, Roche Products, have recommended that many people currently taking the hard gel formulation of saquinavir (brand name Invirase) should switch to the new, more potent soft gel formulation (brand name Fortovase). The soft gel is being made available through a new expanded access scheme for:

- people who are currently stable on hard gel saquinavir - people who are failing on another protease inhibitor - people who have never taken a protease inhibitor before

However, if you are failing on saquinavir at the moment, Roche does not recommend switching to the soft gel formulation since this is unlikely to overcome drug-resistant virus more effectively.

People taking the hard gel formulation of saquinavir in combination with ritonavir do not need to switch, because studies suggest that there is no difference in blood levels of saquinavir when either of the two formulations is used in combination with ritonavir.

For more details, doctors should call Ben Wills on 01707 365707.

980305
ATU6306

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

Copyright © 1998 - AIDS Treatment Update. Permission granted for noncommercial reproduction, provided that our address and phone number are included if more than short quotations are used. Subscription lists are kept confidential. NAM Publications 16a Clapham Common Southside, London, England SW4 7AB; TEL: 01-71-627-3200 (from outside the UK: +44-171-627-3200); FAX: 01-71-627-3101 (from outside the UK: +44=171-627-3101) info@nam.org.uk http://www.nam.org.uk

This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1998. AEGIS.