TreatmentUpdate84 - Vol. 9, No. 10 - pp. 1-2; December, 1997 Sean Hosein
The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new version of saquinavir called Fortovase. The drug will be available in American pharmacies in late November 1997 and should cost the same as the older version of saquinavir. Fortovase comes in soft-gel capsules. Much more of the drug is absorbed, which leads to greater anti-HIV activity. In one study, all subjects received AZT and another related drug and were given either old saquinavir or Fortovase. After 4 months, more PHAs receiving Fortovase had their viral load fall below 400 copies than did subjects receiving old saquinavir. The manufacturer recommends a standard dose of 1200 mg taken 3 times daily with food. Several studies with Fortovase in combination with other drugs are ongoing or being planned. Fortovase is expected to be approved in Canada in 1998.
REFERENCES:
1. Anonymous. New formulation of powerful AIDS drug approved. Press Release 10 November 1997.
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