A Nancy Pelosi confidant hits hard at Hillary Clinton's gas-tax gambit May 6, 2008
A Nancy Pelosi confidant hits hard at Hillary Clinton's gas-tax gambit : Top of the Ticket : Los Angeles Times. Why did we take notice when Rep. (Los Angeles Times)
GlaxoSmithKline AIDS drug linked to risk of heart attack - Lancet ... Apr 3, 2008
The Lundgren team were looking for any evidence of heart attacks among patients who used Ziagen, a less-used drug called Videx (lab name didanosine) as well as AZT (zidovudine), d4T (stavudine) and 3TC (lamivudine). The drugs fall into a broad pharmaceutical category called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which block the activity of an enzyme that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) needs in order to reproduce. (Forbes)
Study Details Heart Risks from HIV Drugs Apr 3, 2008
Personalize Your Medical News. Thursday, April 03, 2008. (MedPage Today)
HIV drug nearly doubles heart attack risk Apr 2, 2008
No increased heart attack risk was found for patients on the other drugs in the study, zidovudine (AZT), stavudine (Zerit) or lamivudine (Epivir). The medications all block an enzyme that the AIDS virus needs to multiply. (MSNBC -- Health)
* Doctor battles for life-saving HIV drug in S Africa Mar 15, 2008
The evidence that two drugs together -- AZT plus nevirapine -- work better than one has been accumulating since a clinical trial in Thailand was published in 2004 in The New England Journal of Medicine. Even here in South Africa, the approach has worked. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Read Article » Mar 10, 2008
The evidence that two drugs together - AZT plus nevirapine - work better than one has been accumulating since a clinical trial in Thailand was published in 2004 in The New England Journal of Medicine ... But he also wrote that nevirapine was still the nationally approved regimen and that the cost of adding AZT was not yet factored into the budget. (International Herald Tribune)
HIV doctor cleared Feb 22, 2008
Since the row over Pfaff broke out, the national department of health has revised its guidelines on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), and now advocates dual therapy, with nevirapine and AZT.. Dual therapy is more effective in preventing transmission, and less likely to lead to development of drug resistance. (iAfrica.com)
South Africa plans to boost funding for AIDS medicines Feb 21, 2008
After much delay, Tshabalala-Msimang earlier this month published guidelines for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission by using a combination of two drugs -- nevirapine and AZT -- in accordance with long-standing World Health Organization recommendations. But in a sign of the health's ministry's ambiguous attitude toward use of medication, a doctor in the hardest-hit province of KwaZulu-Natal was temporarily suspended earlier this month for giving the treatment to pregnant women in his... (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Antiretroviral drugs reduce HIV transmission Feb 10, 2008
Public health officials have had great success blocking HIV transmission to newborns using the drugs AZT and nevirapine about the time of delivery, but they have few tools to prevent transmission through breast-feeding. "Breast-feeding is the final frontier of preventing mother-to-child transmission," Dr. Jeffrey Stringer, who directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, said in remarks published by the Los Angeles Times on Saturday. (Xinhuanet, China)
FDA Reports New Risks Posed by Anemia Drugs Jan 4, 2008
The revised label also said there's no evidence that ESAs improve symptoms of anemia, quality of life, fatigue, or patient well-being in cancer patients or patients with HIV taking the drug AZT.. More information. (Health-Finder)
Anti-AIDS combo pill under development in Brazil Dec 20, 2007
The three drugs, namely, AZT, 3CT and nevirapine, to be merged into the combo pill, are also made in the country. The medicine is being developed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. (Xinhuanet, China)
South Africa: Poor Antenatal HIV Care 'Inexcusable' Dec 7, 2007
Doherty says that dual therapy for HIV positive pregnant women involving daily doses of the anti-HIV drug AZT from 28 weeks of pregnancy, a single dose of nevirapine in labour and then a week-long AZT course for the newborn infant is now advocated by the WHO.. Co-author Lungiswa Nkonki says the responsibility for ensuring that women were given proper treatment lies with hospital management and the National Health Department. (allAfrica.com)
Overlooked Mutation Can Spur HIV Drug Resistance Dec 4, 2007
The mutation, largely overlooked by researchers, appears to confer resistance to zidovudine (AZT or Retrovir), the first drug ever approved to fight HIV; and nevirapine (Viramune), one of a group of powerful antiretroviral medications. Both medicines fall into a broad category of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs), so named because they target a key enzyme on HIV called reverse transcriptase. (MEDLINEplus)
Life saver'I thought my HIV breakthrough was just a mistake' Dec 2, 2007
There were complaints AZT was expensive and could have toxic side effects ... The scientist who first realised AZT could tackle HIV was Marty St Clair ... All were labelled as containing AZT.. (BBC News -- Science)
One man's battle shows HIV/AIDS still rages Dec 1, 2007
With only AZT, the sole HIV/AIDS drug available at the time, and a very short life expectancy, McGarry said he spent his first six months back in Sioux City experimenting in the local cocaine and crystal methamphetamine scenes. "I was really surprised at the number of parties I would go to where people knew I was (HIV) positive," he said. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Overtaken By Hype Dec 1, 2007
Treatment may have improved from the ravaging AZT to a more benign cocktail of ARVs, but resistance has grown to first-line drugs, and everything is fiendishly expensive and accessible only via heavily subsidised NACO programmes. This again triggers the 'what-about-us' protest from other health lobbies fighting for a slice of an unfortunately small pie. (India Times, India)
A mother's legacy Nov 28, 2007
"Every morning when I wake up I sweep outside, then I make my bed, then after that it's time to give my child medicine. I have to hold his hands because he doesn't like taking it; he always cries. I give him three different medicines, AZT, 3TC and nevirapine, at seven in the morning and seven at night. And he now knows the bottles - when I bring them he starts crying, and sometimes he forces himself to vomit."I know that I am going to have to give Mpho medicine all his life, and I have accepted... (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Florida HIV timeline Nov 26, 2007
1994: Giving AZT to HIV-infected pregnant women reduces mother-to-child transmission by two-thirds. Cumulative Florida AIDS cases: 42,159. (The Palm Beach Post)
HIV drug resistance risk in mothers reduced by combination of common drugs Nov 12, 2007
Routine care meant starting the anti-HIV drug zidovudine (or AZT) at 32 weeks gestation, and then ingesting a single dose of nevirapine at the start of labor. Participants were healthy and did not yet require treatment with potent antiretroviral therapy. (EurekAlert!)
Three Anemia Drugs To Get Stronger Warning Labels Nov 10, 2007
And they are also approved for HIV patients with anemia caused by zidovudine (AZT) therapy, said the FDA. ... The new labels also warn there is no evidence that ESAs improved symptoms of anemia, quality of life, fatigue, or well-being in controlled trials with cancer patients or HIV patients on AZT therapy. (Medical News Today)
FDA Issues New Warnings for Anemia Drugs Nov 9, 2007
The new label also says there is no evidence that ESAs improve symptoms of anemia, quality of life, fatigue, or patient well-being in cancer patients or patients with HIV taking the drug AZT. ... These drugs are also used to treat anemia in HIV patients taking AZT.. (Health-Finder)
Prenatal HIV Prevention Combo Reduces Resistance Nov 9, 2007
Eighty-one percent of the women also received a short course of zidovudine (Retrovir), also known as AZT. Standard blood tests showed that all of the women had relatively intact immune systems when the study began. Compared with the placebo group, those in the tenofovir/emtricitabine group were 53 percent less likely to have a gene mutation that confers resistant to NNRTIs after 6 weeks. (MEDLINEplus)
AIDS study spurs Haitian outrage Nov 1, 2007
Gay South Florida www. Steve Rothaus' blog for and about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people throughout Miami and Fort Lauderdale. (MiamiHerald.com)
Mouse virus link to breast cancer Oct 13, 2007
" The researchers said that while not proving that the virus can cause breast cancer in real people, it "lends more weight" to theories linking the virus to the disease, and to other conditions such as the liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis. At the present time, the overall evidence in this area does not support the view that MMTV is a cause of human breast cancer Dr Rob Newton, Cancer Research UK They said that if the MMTV were to be proven, existing drugs such as the anti-HIV medication... (BBC News -- Health)
Feline Virus, Antiviral Drug Studied To Understand Drug Resistance Oct 13, 2007
The new research grant will use tissue culture methods to look specifically at how the presence of methamphetamine may increase the virus' ability to resist anitiviral drugs, in this case, a powerful AIDS drug called azidothymidine, or AZT.. We know a lot about AZT, how it works and what mutations it causes in the virus, he said ... The researchers will treat FIV-infected cell cultures with low concentrations of AZT, forcing it to develop a resistance to the drug, repeating the procedure in the... (Science Daily)
SOUTHERN AFRICA: A winning recipe for PMTCT but few follow it Sep 21, 2007
All pregnant women attending a health facility are now routinely offered an HIV test unless they decline; those found to be HIV-positive receive immediate counselling and are put on a long course of zidovudine, also known as AZT, at 28 weeks, and given a single dose of nevirapine during labour. The infant is given four weeks of AZT and a single dose of nevirapine. (AlertNet)
Manto and TAC clash on HIV again Sep 12, 2007
"The decision to use single-dose nevirapine as opposed to AZT or other, more effective regimens, was taken by the Department of Health when it initiated 18 PMTCT (preventing mother-to-child transmission) pilot sites before the case. "But it refused to extend the programme beyond these pilot sites. Single-dose nevirapine was the cheapest regimen available and this probably informed the state's decision. (iAfrica.com)
'Cipla, Tell the Truth'; AIDS Healthcare Foundation Launches New Ad Campaign Sep 7, 2007
AIDS Drugs for All," in India. AHF's advocacy efforts have included: -- Earlier this year, AHF mounted a similar print ad and awareness campaign on AIDS drug pricing in Mexico. That campaign featured a print ad, "AIDS Drug Prices to Die For," which ran in prominent papers in Mexico and several US cities and targeted both Bristol Myers-Squibb (BMS) and Merck (known as Merck Sharp in Mexico). The two drug companies are being targeted for charging four times as much in Mexico for their key AIDS... (PR Newswire)
Saving the babies: A victory in Africa Aug 27, 2007
The success in Botswana recorded this year, according to specialists, is due to political support and several policy decisions, including the testing of all pregnant women for HIV unless they refuse; providing HIV test results in 20 minutes to the expectant mothers; and for those woman who are HIV-positive, giving dual drug treatment -- four weeks of AZT, and then a single dose of nevirapine at birth to mother and child ... Wilfert said researchers have known about the benefits of using AZT in... (Boston Globe)
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Campaign Challenges Cipla Over Drug Pricing in India: 'Profit at What Cost? AIDS Drugs for All' Aug 9, 2007
Some actions targeted GSK over its patent claim and steep pricing on AZT, the first AIDS drug. Other actions focused on GSK's global pricing and access, particularly in Africa, and its partnership with Aspencare, a generic drug manufacturer in South Africa (where AHF opened its first global treatment clinic in 2001), which after several years hadn't produced any generic GSK AIDS medications. (PR Newswire)
HIV positive Marianne born to be alive Aug 6, 2007
The specialist detailed the one drug then available for people with HIV. AZT could prolong my life, halting the virus from attacking my T cells - white blood cells that fight infection. But a glance around his waiting room revealed horrific side-effects on emaciated patients. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
South Africa: 'Dual Therapy' Not Policy Yet for HIV-Positive Pregnancies Jul 30, 2007
However, a year ago the World Health Organisation recommended that pregnant HIV positive women in developing countries should get "dual therapy" comprising of nevirapine and a short course of AZT to protect their babies from HIV infection. The Western Cape has been using both nevirapine and AZT since May 2004, and has managed to reduce its mother-to-child HIV infection rate to around 8 ... At present, Fredlund's Mseleni Hospital is offering dual therapy to those patients who can afford to buy... (allAfrica.com)
Breakthrough Made in South African HIV Study Jul 26, 2007
The babies were given a three-drug cocktail of AZT, 3TC and Kaletra. "This is an overwhelming difference in survival among infants treated early," said the study's co-chair Avi Violari, head of the pediatric division of the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. (allAfrica.com)
Fighting Drug Resistance In Hepatitis C Virus Jul 25, 2007
Unlike AZT, another major anti-HIV drug, tenofovir counteracts excision in HIV by forming an inactive complex with the enzyme. This paper will also be published in the August issue of AAC. Although the formation of a similar complex with hepatitis C inhibitors is not evident, said G. (Science Daily)
Second-Generation HIV Drug Treats Resistant Virus Jul 10, 2007
Drug manufacturers have developed more than 20 antiretroviral compounds since 1987 when the antiretroviral drug AZT came to market. All but one fall into one of three categories either nucleoside or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors based on the part of the virus they target. (Scientific American)
Mozambique: Aids Drugs Battle Against the Time Constraints of Poverty Jun 5, 2007
Few medical staff have the training or confidence to treat HIV-positive children, which requires specialized medical knowledge and supplies, such as AZT syrups and dry-blood testing materials, which are in any case in short supply. And mothers, fearing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, are still wary of having their children tested or treated for HIV/AIDS.. (allAfrica.com)
Red tape blocking medicine for Africa Apr 18, 2007
Apotex, one of Canada's best-known generic drug manufacturers, has developed a treatment for people with HIV that uses three patent-protected drugs: AZT, 3TC and Navirapin. Canada's law requires that the brand-name manufacturers be consulted to see whether they will let the generic company violate their patents by selling it to developing countries. (Globe and Mail -- International)
Chemical bonds: Rob Doyle's team of students unites in effort to cure cancer, diabetes Apr 18, 2007
In less than a year, Doyle's group already submitted research that could help revolutionize the treatment of cancer by using transition metals such as folic acid to carry the drug AZT directly into cancer cells. The drug usually combats HIV and generally is considered too harmful for cancer patients. (Daily Orange, NY)
Drug used to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child damages DNA Apr 7, 2007
Studies demonstrate that AZT causes genetic damage that may increase future cancer risk ... If left untreated, approximately 25 percent of newborns exposed to the virus from their infected mothers will become infected themselves and potentially develop AIDS. Fortunately, antiretroviral drug combinations, which typically include AZT (zidovudine), a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), have reduced the rate of transmission from mother to child to less than 2 percent in infants who... (EurekAlert!)
Living with HIV Apr 4, 2007
Within three days he was taking AZT, a powerful drug and at the time, the only option for HIV treatment, which was given in much higher doses then than it is now ... "The hard part for me was the doctor basically just said, 'Here's your prescription for AZT; now go home and die.'" ... She refused to take AZT, however. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
HIV/AIDS FAQ'S Apr 4, 2007
HIV begins as RNA and uses a protein -- called reverse transcriptase -- to transfer information from RNA to DNA. The first drugs, such as AZT, tricked the reverse transcriptase into building DNA with an incorrect material, gumming up the process. In 1995, protease inhibitors hit the market. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Circumcision Pushed In AIDS Fight Mar 29, 2007
We haven't had news like this in an extremely long time,'' said Catherine Hankins, chief scientific adviser for UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, in Geneva. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin covering the tip of the penis. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
We're all born for great things Mar 19, 2007
AZT was the only drug on offer at the time originally developed to boost the immune system of cancer patients, but taken off the market due to its high toxicity. If you dont start taking AZT, Im leaving you, my boyfriend threatened. (iAfrica.com)
Anemia drugs increase death risk Mar 11, 2007
ESAs stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells and are FDA approved for use in reducing the need for blood transfusions in patients with chronic kidney failure, patients with cancer on chemotherapy, patients scheduled for major surgery (except heart surgery) and patients with HIV that are using AZT. Because all ESAs work the same way, the findings from these studies apply to all ESAs; the FDA is re-evaluating the safe use of this drug class ... FDA-approved uses of ESAs are: for the... (Food Consumer)
Ortho Biotech in Discussions with FDA Regarding Prescribing Information for Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents Mar 1, 2007
About PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa) PROCRIT is approved for the treatment of anemia in patients with most types of cancer receiving chemotherapy, with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis, who are being treated with AZT for HIV infection, and to reduce the need for transfusion in anemic patients who are scheduled for elective noncardiac, nonvascular surgery. PROCRIT should be administered in accordance with the dosing and administration section of the labeling to target a hemoglobin of 12... (PR Newswire)
UK nutritionist slammed for Aids treatment claim Feb 28, 2007
C is better than AZT' Holford ... C is better than AZT' Holford Kerry Cullinan, Health-e news Wed, 28 Feb 2007 ... Popular British nutritionist Patrick Holford, currently on tour in South Africa, has caused a storm by claiming that vitamin C is more effective in treating Aids than the antiretroviral drug AZT.. (iAfrica.com)
British research shows herpes drug helps control HIV Feb 23, 2007
This is the same effect one would expect if the women had been given an anti-HIV drug such as Zidovudine (AZT), according to Mayaud. The herpes medication, valacyclovir, and other herpes drugs, might dramatically reduce the spread of HIV, according to the researchers. (Xinhuanet, China)
Study: Treating Genital Herpes May Slow AIDS Progression Feb 23, 2007
" Corey, who did not participate in this study, says the drug valacylovir, usually used to treat gential herpes, was as effective in suppressing the levels of HIV in the blood as the old AIDS drug AZT. The study was conducted in Burkina Faso by a team of French, British and African researchers. It involved 140 women infected with both HIV and genital herpes who were not being treated for either disease. Half of the group received valacyclovir, the other half were given dummy pills for three... (Voice of America)
How money is not the only barrier to Aids patients getting hold of drugs Feb 17, 2007
But Patrick Holford yesterday found his way on to the letters page to repeat his mindboggling claim that vitamin C is better than the Aids drug AZT, and you can't let that kind of thing lie ... Firstly, he cites two small studies done on cells in a dish on a laboratory bench, using vitamin C and AZT. This is farcically weak evidence, blatantly unfit for purpose, absurdly reductionist ... And he complains, conspiratorially, that there are no trials of vitamin C in HIV. Might you expect vitamin C... (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Millions Feared Misled as Mutant Strain of H5N1 BS Sweeps Hungary Feb 15, 2007
rd ide azt, hogy budapest. Readership statistics. (Pestiside)
Research Paves Way Toward Less Toxic HIV Drugs Feb 9, 2007
Foscarnet, an inhibitor that blocks the reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme and counteracts resistance to common anti-HIV drugs such as AZT, is sometimes used in patients with multiple drug-resistant HIV-1 when no other treatment options are available ... Binding of the inhibitor to this form of the enzyme reduces its resistance to AZT.. (Science Daily)
Withdrawal Drug Offers Symptom Relief To Crohn's Sufferers, Study Shows Feb 5, 2007
(May 30, 2002) -- Naltrexone, a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction and alcoholism, may increase the effectiveness of the antiretroviral drugs zidovudine (AZT) and indinavir, which are used in the treatment. . (Science Daily)
Delaying AIDS Treatment After Birth May Help Infected Moms Jan 12, 2007
This study, by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, included 218 HIV-infected women who received a single dose of nevirapine or a placebo during labor, along with a short course of the antiretroviral drug zidovudine (AZT) during pregnancy. Sixty of the women started nevirapine-based ART within six months of giving birth, while the rest of the women started the treatment six months after labor. (MEDLINEplus)
Response To Anti-HIV Therapy Improved If Treatment Within 6 Months After Preventive Regimen Jan 12, 2007
Nevirapine, given once during labor, alone or in combination with a short course of zidovudine (AZT) during pregnancy, provides an inexpensive, effective way to reduce the chances that a pregnant woman will pass HIV on to her child ... Typically, nevirapine is given in combination with AZT and lamivudine ... "The findings show that single dose nevirapine during labor alone--or with short course AZT during pregnancy--remains a viable option in resource-poor settings for preventing the spread of... (Science Daily)
Doctored information on celebrity nutritionist Jan 7, 2007
"In the UK, 'nutritionist' is not a title covered by any registered professional body, so some have questioned Patrick Holford's qualifications and expertise. [1] The accuracy of Holford's claims re. health and nutrition has also been questioned: for example, Dr Ben Goldacre has responded critically to Holford's The New Optimum Nutrition Bible. [2] Holford used a non-clinical study where 'you tip lots of vitamin C on to HIV-infected cells and measure a few things related to HIV replication' as... (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
