NAPWA

The FDAThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency responsible for ensuring the safety and 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 all drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices, including those used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply. The Australian equivalent is the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA[Therapeutic Goods Administration] The federal government body that approves drugs and treatments before they can be prescribed.). has notified healthcare professionals and patients that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes[Diabetes mellitus[Diabetes mellitus] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effect of some anti-HIV drugs.] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV drugs. drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) to patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications. read more »

Normally blood glucose is distributed to your body’s tissues under the control of insulin. Glucose is then used as ‘fuel’ to meet the energy required by your body. In some cases, this process is disturbed and more insulin is needed for the tissues to take up glucose from the blood. read more »

It’s a normal day in the diabetes[Diabetes mellitus[Diabetes mellitus] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effect of some anti-HIV drugs.] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV drugs. clinic of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. In the waiting room are three people waiting to see the specialist. One is a short, elderly woman of eastern European extraction. Another is an overweight man in his sixties. And the third is a lean, fitlooking man in his early forties who happens to be living with HIV. Neil McKellar-Stewart finds out why HIV puts us in the room. read more »

This Treataware fact sheet explains the current knowledge about cardiovascular (heart) disease risk in people living with HIV/AIDS, and some strategies for minimising risk. read more »

From the AFAOAustralian Federation of AIDS Organisations. AFAO is the peak non-government organisation representing Australia's community-based response to HIV/AIDS. AFAO's work includes education, policy, advocacy and international projects. /NAPWA treatments resource 'Managing Side Effects'. read more »

The annual conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) was held in Melbourne in November. This article summarises some key developments. read more »

The beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro are hardly the place in which you’d imagine your thoughts would start turning to mortality, but for a while there not even the incredible, hunky, tanned Adonises strutting before me could distract me from thoughts of impending doom. read more »

The annual Retrovirus Conference is a key event on the HIV scientific calendar, and regularly highlights the most exciting ‘bleeding edge’ developments from the world of HIV science. read more »

For many people, the word ‘diabetes[Diabetes mellitus[Diabetes mellitus] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effect of some anti-HIV drugs.] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV drugs.’ conjures up images of insulin injections, highly restricted diets and, perhaps, that pale, sickly kid at school who wasn’t allowed to have any lollies or paddle pops. The reality is somewhat more complex. read more »

Pancreatitis is in the news. With opposition leader Mark Latham struck down by this painful condition, we look at the role of the pancreas and at HIV-related pancreatitis. read more »