HOME

Unlike NRTIs, NNRTIs are not introduced into the viral DNA to stop it but instead inhibit the movement of proteins that are needed to carry out the virus duplication.

DHHS Status: Recommended in Combination as Initial Regimen in Certain Clinical Situations

Manufacturer: Bristol-Myers Squibb (www.bms.com)
Sustiva (www.sustiva.com)

FDA approval date: September 17, 1998

Financial Assistance: https://www.bms3assist.com/bms3assist/

Comes in 50, 100, 200 and 600mg tablets. The recommended dose is 600mg, which is available in a single tablet, taken every night at bedtime. You should avoid taking Sustiva after high-fat meals.

Review: Sustiva is classified as “ Recommended in combination as initial regimen in certain clinical situations when it is a component of Atripla in the current DHHS guidelines. Sustiva, though older, is still a first-class drug and was considered the standard of care for HIV treatment up until the last few years. The dose is just one pill, once a day – making it very easy to take.

Sustiva is included in the highly effective, popularly prescribed single tablet regimen, Atripla.

Some starting out with Sustiva can have dizziness, vivid dreams, difficulty concentrating and mood changes but that subsides in many people after continued use.

DHHS Status: Recommended in Combination as Initial Regimen in Certain Clinical Situations

Manufacturer: Janssen Therapeutics (www.janssentherapeutics.com)
Sustiva (www.edurant.com)

FDA approval date: May 20, 2011

Financial Assistance: https://www.edurant.com/patients/assistance-and-support/patient-assistance-program

Recommended dosage is one 25mg tablet taken once daily. It should be taken with a meal.

Review: Edurant is a newer NNRTI. It is currently listed in the DHHS guidelines as “Recommended in combination as Initial Regimen in certain clinical situations” when in combination with Descovy or Truvada as Odefsey or Complera. Some who have a hard time tolerating Sustiva and continue to have problems with vivid dreams have been switching to Edurant or more so from Atripla to Complera. However, it is not recommended that individuals with a viral load of more than 100,000 copies/mL use Edurant for first-time treatment due to a elevated potential for virologic failure and possible cross resistance to other NNRTIs. The small size of the pill also appeals to many who use it as a stand alone drug. Edurant can be used during pregnancy and has a DHHS “Alternative” status for use during pregnancy. A new STR, Juluca, combining rilpivirine with dolutegravir was approved by the FDA and is the first drug developed as maintenance therapy. Once someone has achieved an undetectable viral load using a 3-drug therapy method for 6-months, they can switch to this 2-drug “maintenance” therapy.

DHHS Status: Not recommended, experienced only

Manufacturer: Janssen Therapeutics (www.janssentherapeutics.com)
Intelence (www.intelence.com)

FDA approval date: January 18, 2008

Financial Assistance: https://www.intelence.com/ assistence-and-support/patient-savings-program

The standard dose of Intelence is one 200mg tablet or two 100mg tablets, taken twice a day following a meal. A 25mg tablet is now available for children 6-years and older. Child dosage is based on weight.

Review: Intelence is at present only approved for use by treatment-experienced HIV patients who have resistance to other HIV drugs. Intelence is an option for patients who cannot take Sustiva or any of the other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors because of drug resistance. Usually, when you develop resistance to one drug in this class, you are resistant to all of them. Intelence breaks that pattern.

Copyright 2018, Positive Health Publications, Inc.

This magazine is intended to enhance your relationship with your doctor - not replace it! Medical treatments and products should always be discussed with a licensed physician who has experience treating HIV and AIDS!