FDA approves new PI - Lexiva

The FDA has approved a new protease inhibitor developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline. Lexiva (fosamprenavir) is a prodrug of Glaxo's protease inhibitor, Agenerase (amprenavir). A prodrug needs to be broken down in the body before it can become active. This increases the amount of drug in the bloodstream while decreasing the number of pills that need to be taken each day. Fewer pills each day often translates to better medication adherence and better viral supression.

How is Lexiva Taken?
Lexiva is supplied in 700mg tablets. Dosing will be done in one of three ways:

• two 700mg tablets twice per day
• two 700mg tablets with two 100mg capsules of Norvir once daily, or
• one 700mg tablet with one 100mg capsule of Norvir twice daily

Lexiva can be taken with or without food.

Are there any side effects?
Like other protease inhibitors, Lexiva can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea when first taken. These side effects will most often subside after a few weeks of taking the meds. Lexiva can also increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.