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Apricitabine

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Apricitabine is a NRTIA type of anti-HIV drug that works by inhibiting a stage of the HIV life cycle called reverse transcription. Non-nucleosides work in a similar way, but are chemically different. still in Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling.  clinical trials but it is proving to be a safe and effective alternative to 3TC in people who have the M184V mutation.  

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs or "nukes") are considered the all-important backbone for treating HIV and most peoples' regimens include at least one drug from this class. The more commonly used NRTIs include lamivudine (3TC), zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI) and abacavir.

After a while, people may become resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to NRTIs and develop mutations, especially the M184V mutation. People with the M184V mutation can sometimes continue to take lamivudine (3TC) with some effect but to date there hasn't been another similar drug to replace it.

MAY 2010 UPDATE

Avexa closes its lead HIV program for apricitabine after failing to attract a licencing partner. More: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_apricitabine_avexa_1667_18395.shtml

Objections to discontinuation of apricitabine: http://www.survivinghiv.blogspot.com/ 

Generic name: apricitabine (ATC)
Pronunciation:appra-sitter-bean
Also known as:AVX-301
BCH10618
SPD754
Drug class:nucleoside analogue
Availability in Australia:
  • Withdrawn from use in Australia. No longer available through the PBS.
Presentation:800mg

Like most anti-HIV drugs, apricitabine must be taken in combination with other drugs to be completely effective. Commonly, apricitabine is combined with one other nucleoside (NRTI) drug and either a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside, although other combinations are sometimes used. Your doctor will advise you on the right combination of drugs to suit your circumstances.

Dosage

The current dose being studied is 800 mg, twice daily.

Regardless of what you read on this website or elsewhere, you should always take your medications according to your doctor's instructions. If you're unsure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects

All drugs can produce side effects in some people. These may be mild, moderate or severe, so you should be aware of potential side effects before starting any drug, and speak to your doctor if you experience side effects that concern you.

  • Common side effects may include nausea (upset stomach, feeling sick to the stomach), diarrhoea, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats), nasal congestion, chest congestion.

    • It's unlikely you will experience all of these side effects, and you may not experience any side effects at all. Before starting any new drug, ask your doctor about side effects you might experience and discuss strategies for dealing with side effects if they do occur. If you experience any significant side effect you should continue taking your medicine and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Interactions with other drugs

So far, apricitabine has only been studied in combination with another NRTI called emticitabine (Emtriva) and they found that it decreased the levels of apricitabine inside cells, so these drugs can not be used together. Other drug interaction studies are in progress.

New NRTI no more

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 11 June 2010

Melbourne-based biotech Avexa has announced the closure of its lead HIV program for apricitabine after failing to attract a licensing partner for the Phase IIIA large clinical trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness(Of a drug or treatment). The maximum ability of a drug or treatment to produce a result regardless of dosage. A drug passes efficacy trials if it is effective at the dose tested and against the illness for which it is prescribed. In the standard procedure, Phase II clinical trials gauge efficacy, and Phase III trials confirm it. of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. drug. read more »

The table below shows all the clinical trials in the database with the keyword apricitabine.

Sorry, no clinical trials database entries were found that matched your request.

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This Treatments database entry was first published on 9 June 2009 — more than three years ago.

While the content of this treatments database entry was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWHA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

This article may contain medical information. NAPWHA makes every reasonable effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate, reliable and up-to-date, including obtaining technical reviews by medically-qualified reviewers, however the authors of information on this website are not qualified to give medical advice, except where explicitly stated.

The content of this website is intended to support, not replace, the relationship between people living with HIV/AIDS and their medical advisers, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

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