Idenix Pharmaceuticals (IDIX)

[gofishmarko]

Baraclude blemish ?

I suppose the solution to this problem is to only use entecavir in combo with HAART in co-infected patients. Cross-resistance with HIV drugs is another criterion of HBV drugs that may determine market share.

Hepatitis Meds May Be Linked To Drug Resistant HIV Canadian Health Agency Warns

by The Canadian Press
February 21, 2007 - 9:00 pm ET

note from Jules Levin: A poster at CROI, the HIV conference upcoming Feb 25, 2007, will be presented by a researcher regarding the finding discussed below.

(Ottawa) The manufacturer of the antiviral drug Baraclude says the drug may be linked to the development of a treatment-resistant strain of HIV in one patient with the disease.

Baraclude, the brand name for the drug entecavir, has been authorized for use in Canada since June 2006 for the treatment of adults with active chronic hepatitis B infection.

But in an advisory issued Wednesday, Health Canada said the drug's manufacturer informed the federal department that a U.S. patient _ infected with both HIV and hepatitis B _ became resistant to one of the more commonly used HIV medications while taking Baraclude alone.

The report is one of three from the United States submitted by Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada concerning HIV patients who experienced a decrease in their human immunodeficiency virus levels while using Baraclude, despite not being treated with HIV drugs.

To date, studies do not suggest that Baraclude has any activity against HIV. Drugs which have effects against HIV may be associated with an increased risk of developing treatment-resistant forms of the infection.

Canadians taking Baraclude should consult their physicians if they have any questions or concerns, said Health Canada, which will provide any warranted safety recommendations for the drug once a review is completed.

For more information, see http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/nataphcv