World National
©World National / Roger-Luc Chayer

Combination drug wins Canada's approval

By Ben Thompson

SUMMARY: The first drug to combine three HIV medications in one tablet has been given approval for use by Health Canada.

OTTAWA -- The first drug to combine three HIV medications in one tablet has been given approval for use by Health Canada.

Trizivir is made by GlaxoSmithKline. It is the only HIV triple combination antiretroviral therapy in a single dosage available in Canada.

Trizivir combines the three active ingredients of the widely used HIV medications 3TC(R) (lamivudine), Retrovir(R) (zidovudine/AZT(TM)) and Ziagen(R) (abacavir sulfate).

Health Canada controlled patient studies showed the drug had few side effects.

On average, people being treated for HIV take as many as 12 tablets or capsules per day just to treat their HIV. This does not include vitamins or medications for other conditions. Some of the HIV medications people are required to take may have food and fluid restrictions or requirements, or require complicated multiple dosings throughout the day.

Trizivir does not have any food or fluid restrictions, and does reduce overall pill burden.

Ron Rosenes, honorary director of AIDS Committee of Toronto, welcomed the release of the drug.

"Many of us who live with HIV have become frustrated with managing complex treatment regimens. As long as they are tailored to individual needs, new options that are simpler and easier to manage would be most welcome," he said.