Lexiva (Fosamprenavir) Approved
On October 20 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the protease inhibitor Lexiva (generic name fosamprenavir, also called 908). Lexiva is converted into amprenavir (Agenerase), a previously approved protease inhibitor, in the body. Lexiva is easier to take than amprenavir because of the smaller pill burden (usually 4 pills a day including the ritonavir, vs. 16 pills a day for Agenerase), and lack of food restrictions. It was developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.
Persons taking Lexiva should review the safety and other patient information, including dangerous interactions with certain other drugs. Information for patients (and prescribing information for physicians) is at http://www.lexiva.com.
For More Information
For a brief review by the FDA of the pivotal clinical trials, see: http://www.thebody.com/fda/lexiva.html?m18 (or search for Lexiva on http://www.thebody.com)
For Glaxo's review, see: http://www.gsk.com/press_archive/press2003/press_10212003a.htm
