HIV Meds Quarterly

Research Briefs

• Darunavir Approved for Use with Boosted Ritonavir as "Preferred" PI, Pediatric Dosing
  

Fast Takes

• Maraviroc
  In November 2008, maraviroc, the CCR5 antagonist, was granted traditional approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It had been given accelerated approval in 2007. It is intended for treatment-experienced patients with CCR5-tropic HIV infection.
  more on maraviroc

• Abacavir: Pediatric formulation
  The FDA recently approved a 300 mg scored tablet formulation of abacavir intended for pediatric patients. As with the previously available oral solution, abacavir is approved for children at least 3 months of age. The recommended dosage is 8 mg/kg BID (maximum dosage 300 mg BID). For patients who are ≥14 kg in weight and are able to take pills, the recommended dosage for the abacavir 300 mg scored tablet formulation is as follows:

  Weight	Pediatric Abacavir Dosage
  Wt 14-21 kg	150 mg (1/2 tablet) BID
  Wt >21 kg to <30 kg	150 mg Q AM (1/2 tablet) + 300 mg (1 tablet) Q PM
  Wt ≥30 kg	300 mg (1 tablet) BID

  more on abacavir

• Abacavir/lamivudine: DHHS recommendations
  The November 2008 U.S. DHHS adult and adolescent ARV guidelines designate abacavir/lamivudine as an "Alternative" NRTI combination for use in initial therapy. The decision to downgrade abacavir/lamivudine (Epzicom) was based on recent study findings of potential cardiovascular risk associated with abacavir, and of inferior efficacy when abacavir/lamivudine (as opposed to tenofovir/emtricitabine) was used in patients with pretreatment HIV RNA levels >100,000 copies/mL (patients also received efavirenz or atazanavir/ritonavir). See the Fall 2008 and Summer 2008 installments of HIV Meds Quarterly for further information.
  more on abacavir, more on lamivudine

Reference

• Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adult and Adolescents. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents. Department of Health and Human Services; November 3, 2008