Lower dosing trial funded

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted AUD $12.4 million to the University of NSW to study whether lower doses of some commonly used antiretroviral drugs are as effective as currently prescribed doses.

The trial will start by comparing the standard 600mg dose of efavirenz with a lower dose of 400mg once daily. As well, the study anticipates finding the optimum doses of other antiretrovirals [1]A medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. including lamivudine, ritonavir-boosted lopinavir, ritonavir-boosted atazanavir, and zidovudine.

Participants from different parts of the world will be enrolled [2]The act of signing up participants into a study. Generally this process involves evaluating a participant with respect to the eligibility criteria of the study and going through the informed consent process. to compare the results of those on the current recommended doses with those on the new, lower doses.

Potentially, this study could lead to us using antiretrovirals more efficiently. By avoiding larger doses than necessary we can provide more affordable treatment options for large populations in resource limited settings.