Expanded Access to Tenofovir

Tenofovir, also known as Viread, is a type of anti-HIV drug called a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Tenofovir is not a major breakthough -- it is not as potent as, say, the protease inhibitor indinavir (Crixivan). However, the advantage with tenofovir is that it only has to be taken once a day. Tenofovir will likely be approved for use only in people who have previously used anti-HIV medications. Until then, the manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, is making tenofovir available at no cost for physicians to give to some people with HIV/AIDS in the following countries:

• Canada
• United States
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• United Kingdom

Gilead will consider requests for tenofovir from physicians in Canada for their patients with the following profile:

• At least 18 years old
• Viral load: at least 10,000 copies (Amplicor)
• CD4+ count: 100 or fewer cells, OR 100-200 cells if an opportunistic infection has occurred in the past 90 days
• Previous failure of at least two protease inhibitors, OR failure of one protease inhibitor and one non-nuke

For more information about the tenofovir expanded access program or to register patients in Canada and the U.S., physicians can phone: 1.877.226.8802. Physicians in Europe can call this number: 33.1.44.90.34.46.

Registration materials can be requested online by visiting the Gilead website at: http://www.gilead.com/webpage_templates/frame_home.php3.

A CATIE fact sheet about tenofovir is under development and will be available shortly.