Idenix Pharmaceuticals (IDIX)

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We published data on the in vivo interactions between AZT, 3TC and D4T and ribavirin and there was none despite the predicted in vitro data.
Dr Doug Dieterich...



ANTI-HIV AGENTS: Hepatitis C treatment and possible interactions with anti-HIV drugs

TreatmentUpdate 142 - 2004 January; Volume 16 Issue 3


Ribavirin is an antiviral drug used in the treatment of several infections, including hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the late 1980s, researchers conducted test-tube studies of ribavirin in combination with other drugs, such as AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir). In these experiments, ribavirin weakened the anti-HIV effects of AZT and similar drugs. Because of this finding, researchers recommended that ribavirin not be used in people with both HIV and HCV who were also using the nukes AZT, 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir) and d4T (stavudine, Zerit).

However, results in the test-tube don't always accurately reflect what is happening in a person. To test the effectiveness of certain approaches to treating hepatitis C in people co-infected with HIV, researchers in North America and the European Union conducted a large study called Apricot. The final results from this clinical trial were recently released. A sub-study of Apricot assessed possible drug interactions between ribavirin and nukes used to treat HIV. The sub-study found that ribavirin, at a dose of 800 mg daily, does not affect the concentration of AZT, d4T or 3TC.

http://www.aegis.com/pubs/catie/2004/CATE14202.html