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Looking for alternatives to Fuzeon
Nov 28, 2005
I've been injecting Fuzeon since being in a phase III clinical trial that started in 2000, with a 9 month treatment interruption in 2003. I am finding it difficult to continue because of the expense ($580 co-pay per month), the pain of injecting, and just overall burnout of the routine. I have been undetectable during the clinical trail and since since restarting after the 9 month interruption and I am looking for any treatment option that might be available. In the past I've been very resistant to numerous medications and Fuzeon was my last hope at the time. I am currently on Fuzeon, Kaltera, Videx EC, and Viread... I just want to replace Fuzeon. Could I have less resistance now and be able to try other medications again? are their any other entry inhibitors coming out soon? I don't want to jeopardize my health but I need a break! Thank you for any advise you can give.
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Response from Mr. Kurtyka
There's not a quick answer to your questions! First of all, you never really lose resistance once it has developed. Once resistance shows up on a genotype or phenotype, you have to assume it is always there. After medication that you are resistant to is discontinued, it's very likely that future resistance tests might not pick up the resistance ... this makes it very misleading! This is why we always try to collect blood for resistance testing while you are still on the medication.
There are a quite a few other entry inhibitors in various stages of clinical study. Talk to your provider to see if any of them might be available. Tibotec has an expanded access program for TMC114 ... this might be an option for you. There are other NNRTI and PI agents in clinical studies that you might qualify for as well.
Sit down with your provider and tell him/her what's going on and that you need a change. Hopefully they will be able to offer you some ideas.
There are a number of previous posts on thebody.com about many of the agents that are in clinical study. Check them out to see what they have to offer.
Good luck,
DK
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