New drugs to treat AIDS

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Raltergravir tablets, also known as Isentress, in treating AIDS, providing a new option for HIV patients or drug resistance.

Raltergravir tablets (Photo: VNN)

This is the second new HIV drug approved by FDA within the past 2 months.

HIV virus uses 3 different enzymes to regenerate and infect cells. Current AIDS drugs only affect 2 of these 3 enzymes. Isentress is the first drug that inhibits integrase, the third enzyme, reduces the amount of HIV in the blood and helps immune cells recover.

Isentress is indicated for use in patients over 16 years of age when blood tests show that they are resistant to common drugs. According to a Merck & Co spokesman, Isress will sell to the market within 2 weeks, costing 27 USD / day.