Live data from Hacker News

FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

statnews.com

11–20 of 220 posts

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#12

[flagged]

Instead of downvotes, I'm curious what evidence there is on either side of this claim.

I am sure there is some evidence on both sides, but at the end of the day, people get into medicine and medical research to heal people, not keep them sick. The USA does not have the only medical system in the world and many countries run their systems with the goal of controlling costs, not increasing them. I don't think this kind of pessimistic conspiracy thinking adds to the conversation.

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#13

[flagged]

Instead of downvotes, I'm curious what evidence there is on either side of this claim.

Well not sure if it is "evidence", but in terms of marginal preventing people in the US from getting HIV, lowering the cost of Truvada from $2,000 out of pocket and publicizing it would likely have a much larger impact than this once a month shot.

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#14

[flagged]

Instead of downvotes, I'm curious what evidence there is on either side of this claim.

I'm not sure every claim is worthy of debate. Setting aside all the private investment and philanthropy dollars going towards a cure, governments spend billions annually on HIV research.

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#15
post #6

I have always heard that Truvada (prep) was extremely effective at preventing HIV infection. These new injectables are reported by the article to be 89% and 66% more effective at preventing transmission. What is this based on? Was I misinformed about Truvada's effectiveness? Is this a decrease in an already very low chance of transmission? Or is this in comparison to people forgetting to take their daily pills vs a s…

I don't have stats, but Biktarvy has been advertised for PReP lately. Descovy is approved by the FDA for such use. The shot is around the same price (at list anyway) as some of the other treatments, so if it's even equally effective the convenience might win.

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#18
post #6

I have always heard that Truvada (prep) was extremely effective at preventing HIV infection. These new injectables are reported by the article to be 89% and 66% more effective at preventing transmission. What is this based on? Was I misinformed about Truvada's effectiveness? Is this a decrease in an already very low chance of transmission? Or is this in comparison to people forgetting to take their daily pills vs a s…

The article states,

"...abotegravir – a component of Cabenuva – was 89% more effective in preventing infection among women than Truvada"

That 89% when was compared to Truvada.

Do healthcare workers actively take Prep or is it administered within the 72 hour period after exposure?

Prep from what I understand can be hard on the body's organs and you will need to do a kidney function test every few months when on it

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#19
post #6

I have always heard that Truvada (prep) was extremely effective at preventing HIV infection. These new injectables are reported by the article to be 89% and 66% more effective at preventing transmission. What is this based on? Was I misinformed about Truvada's effectiveness? Is this a decrease in an already very low chance of transmission? Or is this in comparison to people forgetting to take their daily pills vs a s…

Logistics-wise, it’s easier to get someone to come into the doctors for blood work every 3 months for testing (as required for prep) than once a month for a shot.

However, from reading the article, I do think there’s a convenience factor at play related to the struggles of taking pills daily.

Note though, the article mentioned a trial of _women_ where truvada and one-shot prevention effectiveness were compared and the one-shot was deemed 89% more effective.

A quick search explains _why_ this might be the case for women. Basically, it takes more truvada to get rid of the disease in vaginal and cervical tissue than it takes for rectal tissue.

Source: https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/why-do-women-need-highe...

Also, doctors have been recommending a different drug, Descovy, for prep instead of Truvada. This isn’t due to effectiveness but side effects I believe. I guess if one experienced side effects though, they would be less likely to continue taking the medicine.

Re: FDA approves first monthly injectable to treat HIV infection

#20
post #6

I have always heard that Truvada (prep) was extremely effective at preventing HIV infection. These new injectables are reported by the article to be 89% and 66% more effective at preventing transmission. What is this based on? Was I misinformed about Truvada's effectiveness? Is this a decrease in an already very low chance of transmission? Or is this in comparison to people forgetting to take their daily pills vs a s…

The article states, "...abotegravir – a component of Cabenuva – was 89% more effective in preventing infection among women than Truvada" That 89% when was compared to Truvada. Do healthcare workers actively take Prep or is it administered within the 72 hour period after exposure? Prep from what I understand can be hard on the body's organs and you will need to do a kidney function test every few months when on it

Truvada is commonly taken proactively by sexually active people in high risk categories. It is true that it has side effects, so the risk of those needs to be balanced against the risk of HIV exposure.
Post reply on HN