First HIV Integrase Inhibitor Performs Well in Previously Untreated Patients

Raltegravir and efavirenz yielded similar rates of virologic suppression, but raltegravir had fewer side effects.

Current guidelines for initial antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients recommend two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) combined with either a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or a boosted protease inhibitor (PI). Raltegravir, the first HIV integrase inhibitor, has been safe and effective when added to background treatment in salvage therapy. Might it also have a role in initial therapy?

Investigators randomized 566 treatment-naive HIV-positive adults with viral loads >5000 copies/mL to receive two NRTIs (tenofovir/emtricitabine) plus either raltegravir (400 mg twice daily) or the NNRTI efavirenz (600 mg once daily). Treatment assignment was masked with matching placebos. The study was sponsored …

Reviewing Author

Bruce Soloway, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsNew RoAR News (http://www.newroarnews.org)

Bruce Soloway, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsNew RoAR News (http://www.newroarnews.org)

First HIV Integrase Inhibitor Performs Well in Previously Untreated Patients

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Reviewing Author