FDA approves Descovy, Gilead Sciences' latest combo HIV pill

The Food and Drug Administration has already approved Descovy. This is a combination HIV drug developed by biologic drug maker Gilead Sciences.

According to NZ Herald, the daily pill was composed of two already-approved drugs for treating HIV. The blend is considered as the backbone of Gilead Sciences' latest HIV medications. It is also a part of Gilead's HIV pill, Genvoya, which was approved in 2015.

Descovy is a combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide or TAF. It is a novel targeted pro-drug of tenofovir that has resulted with high antiviral efficiency, which is similar to a dose less than one-tenth that of Gilead's Viread or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, TDF.

Also, since TAF enters the cells more capably than that of the TDF, it can be given at a much higher dose. The drug has also resulted in improved renal and bone safety in clinical trials in combination with other antiretroviral agents, as claimed by PharmaTimes.

The HIV medication has been approved for a use alongside other antiretroviral agents. They fight the virus evident in adults and pediatric patients 12 years old and older. But it is not indicated for the use as pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV.

ABC NEWS reported that Gilead, based in Foster City, California, is known as the top drug maker about HIV and Hepatitis treatments. Descovy carries the Food and Drug Administration's warnings about the dangerous side effects of the drug. Some of those side effects included are the potentially fatal buildup of lactic acid in the blood, causing a worsening effect for Hepaptis B, immune system problems, as well as kidney damage.

Meanwhile, Gilead Sciences insists that Descovy is as effective as its blockbuster HIV medication Viread at a much-lower dose. However, the company has not yet unveiled the price of the new HIV drug. But the agency now approved Descovy for treating patients aged 12 and older with HIV-1 subtype.

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