HIV: Symtuza Use Cleared For US
Various advances have been made in combatting HIV, not just in the United States but all over the globe. Europe, for instance, has already approved the use of Symtuza, a combination of darunavir, cobicistat, tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine. Now, that same drug has been approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.
According to Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ press release, Symtuza is a single-tablet medication used to treat HIV-1 in adults who “have either not received anti-HIV-1 medication in the past” or “healthcare providers determine they meet certain requirements.” It’s a single-pill regimen that has been shown to retain viral suppression in HIV-positive people, with fewer pills and lowered risk of resistance.
“Darunavir is one of the most widely used HIV treatments,” noted Lawrence M. Blatt, Ph.D., the global therapeutics area head at Janssen Infectious Diseases Therapeutics, in 2017. The reason is “due to its ability to control the HIV virus while offering a high barrier to resistance.”
The approval of Symtuza for use in the United States is yet another step in the continuing battle against HIV. In May, a possible universal antibody for HIV-1 was discovered. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that HIV can’t be transmitted if it’s undetectable. A South African child was also “virtually cured” of HIV after immediately undergoing a 40-week regimen of antiretroviral treatment once she was discovered to have high levels of HIV in their blood. New York City also experienced a record low of HIV diagnoses December of last year.
What do you guys think of this new drug approval? Does this make you hopeful about the state of HIV treatment in the United States? We want to hear what you think! Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.
This is stellar news. But even if HIV were cured, there are plenty STDs out there to support using a condom. On to the cure.
I can’t help but think it’s a yiddish five spice powder: “Symtuza, a combination of darunavir, cobicistat, tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine.
I think this is as misleading as every other report. If your health goes downhill, I’m sure your hiv can resurge and become detectable without your knowing it. It stays in the body. Now do some reporting on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in gay men!
wow you just opened my mind about the relationship between being gay and fibro, CFS,
would like more into if possible
!!! We’re getting closer to eliminating this monster, some good news for change!
That’s all fine and dandy and even super news, BUT don’t let that stop you from using condoms! There are a LOT of other diseases out there being spread by those who refuse to protect themselves and others.
lol @ the random assertion of condoms in the first comment. The article had practically nothing to do with that.
I am very excited about it. Now if I could just afford my medicine that would help
I am really trying to understand why several gay men on here are very rude and very judgmental. No one likes to be judged. Do you people think you are better than everyone else. News Flash…YOU ARE NOT. We need to all get along and love one another and support each other. Come on.
A new drug is always good news, but this one’s over $40,000 per year! It’s incredibly expensive to develop and market a single tablet, once-a-day combination drug, and taxpayers (with or without insurance companies) will pay for most of these prescriptions. I hope it lives up to the hype!
In New York, almost 5,000 people are newly diagnosed per year, at least as of 2016. It’s a backbreaking burden to society, and a horrible diagnosis to receive because HIV is preventable. Know your status, know your partners, ‘just say no’ to excessive drug/alcohol use because it’ll impair your judgment in that critical moment.
Beating HIV isn’t easy, these new drugs really help people live a good quality of life (as long as you have insurance or public assistance to pay for them) but the ultimate goal should be to end HIV transmission. Until we have a vaccine, we’ll have to do it on our own. Be careful out there!
A cure and or goal-statement of a cure is way past due.
Most ppl will read the headline and think there is a cure. The condoms come off. We’ll see a rise in all the other stds as a result. But I do think it’s awesome they are finding stronger meds to combat hiv.
Dont forget, these antivirals are extremely hard on the body and wipe you out. There are numerous and serious side effects that often lead into other medical issues. You really dont want to have to take these so continue to play safe. For those who have already contracted hiv, im glad there are more and more ways to contain this virus. However, living a healthy lifestyle is a great way to maintain your health and minimize the need for antivirals.
RIGHT, and Matt nailed it! As someone who lived in the pre-Gay cancer World, time to wake up and realize we all need to take care of this issue. There has NEVER been a time when it was safe to have unprotected sex, there is always a risk, and if you don’t care for your own physical/sexual health, then please consider others. Ask yourself why the term “gay cancer” was coined – now that it is no longer a death sentence, there are 33 other common STIs to consider. Time to put those gay stereotypes of “clueless, careless, promiscuous” to rest, respect for ourselves IS respect for our community
Is this any better than Biktarvy? Is the only “advantage” that it challenges Gilead’s near monopoly?
There is no incentive to cure HIV. A cure means no more profits for drug companies. They prefer it remain a chronic illness. Profit before people.
I honestly think and feel that how HIV POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE PEOPLE get treated in general the way society and science how some what combined is understandable but the out come and way of how things are done are not right! I say not right because we should all love each other and try to be happy life happens and we are people at the end of the day. No matter what the STIGMA is beyond wrong and needs to CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!