FTC + Atazanavir + ddI Deemed Inferior to AZT/3TC + Efavirenz

A once-daily initial regimen of FTC, atazanavir, and ddI is less effective at controlling HIV than is a twice-daily initial regimen of AZT/3TC + efavirenz, according to a large, international ACTG trial. The finding recently emerged during an interim review by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board and has led the study sponsor (the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) to discontinue use of the regimen in this trial.

The ongoing phase IV trial involves 1571 HIV-infected patients in Africa, the Americas, and Asia who were randomized to one of three initial treatment regimens:

• AZT/3TC twice daily + efavirenz once daily

• FTC + atazanavir + enteric-coated ddI, all taken once daily

• FTC/tenofovir + efavirenz, all taken once daily

Study …