Health News
A Miracle Pill For HIV Prevention? Not So
The first pill approved by the FDA for preventing HIV in healthy patients doesn't come without concern. Experts worry that the drug do more harm than good.
HIV Drug Safe During Pregnancy
Women with HIV or chronic Hepatitis B may take Viread , whose generic name is tenofovir , for treatment. They can safely continue this treatment if they get pregnant.
HPV-Related Throat Cancers Fare Better
The human papilloma virus (HPV) has surpassed smoking, drinking and poor diet as the leading cause of oral cancers in this country.
New research is showing that people with HPV oral cancers have a better outlook than those whose oral cancers are not caused by HPV.
Findings from a review of a large Danish database suggest that people with HPV-positive oropharyngeal (throat) cancer who are light smokers can be treated with radiotherapy alone and don't need chemotherapy.
These folks also had a better overall outcome than people with HPV-negative throat cancer.
Talk to your doctor ...
Taking Charge: Getting Tested for HIV
As you're boarding the bus, you see an ad that asks you to “Take Charge. Take the Test.” The test is free, and you don't have to study. The results are simple: Your HIV status.
Pills That Prevents HIV?
For decades, researchers have struggled to find medical defenses against HIV infection. Now, an effective option is on the table: Popping a preventative pill called Truvada .
Interferon and Depression
Depressive symptoms may be present in patients with hepatitis C before they begin treatment. But research suggests that the hepatitis C drug, interferon, also contributes to depression.
Gene Therapy Safe for HIV Patients
It's hoped that gene therapy – altering the genetic code in a patient's cells – will someday cure disease. But today, it's enough to know that it's not causing additional illness.
Pfizer Stops Phase 3 Trial Of Lyrica
Pfizer Inc. announced that it has stopped a Phase 3 clinical trial of Lyrica ( pregabalin ) in patients with neuropathic pain associated with HIV neuropathy, a form of nerve damage characterized by burning pain usually beginning in the feet.
Poverty Blocks Progress Against HIV
There's been a lot of good news for HIV patients in the past few years, with progress towards better drugs and treatment. But the good news hasn't yet reached America's urban poor.
Victrelis and HIV Drug Interactions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying the public that co-administration of Victrelis ( boceprevir ), a hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) protease inhibitor, along with certain ritonavir-boosted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors, is not recommended at this time.
Because of the possibility of reducing the effectiveness of the medicines, permitting the amount of HCV or HIV virus in the blood (viral load) to increase. Ritonavir-boosted HIV protease inhibitors include ritonavir-boosted Reyataz ( atazanavir ), ritonavir-boosted Prezista ( darunavir ), and Kal...