HIV drug’s once-a-day use reportedly fails trials

The once-daily use of Isentress, an antiretroviral drug manufactured by Merck & Co., did not pass a Phase III trial, according to Reuters.

Isentress is currently prescribed as a twice-daily medication taken to inhibit the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), having been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007.

The news source reports that the latest setback may limit its use.

A once-daily regimen was found to reduce viral blood-counts to undetectable amounts in a little more than 82 percent of previously untreated patients, compared to the nearly 89 percent who had undetectable levels on a twice-daily dose. As a result, the drug manufacturer concluded that taking Isentress once a day is not a feasible regimen.

Currently, there is no cure for HIV. Antiretrovirals can minimize the virus’s presence, but patients taking them may still infect others. Individuals concerned about the state of their sexual health may consider online testing services as a viable way to determine if they have contracted a sexually transmitted disease.

Approximately 1.1 million Americans have HIV or AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.