Anti-HIV drug has potential to prevent sexual transmission.

US researchers from the Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School report that tenofovir, an antiretroviral drug used orally to treat HIV, is also safe when applied in a vaginal microbicide gel. A multi-site study suggests that tenofovir produced mild or no side effects in both HIV positive and HIV negative women. Currently, no microbicide has yet been approved for use. This trial was for safety and product acceptability and did not evaluate effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission. Expanded safety and effectiveness testing is still needed. Study participants included 84 women aged 18-45. Sixty were HIV negative and 24 HIV positive. All participants used the product for 14 consecutive days and received frequent safety assessments and pelvic exams. The most common adverse effects reported were mild and consisted mainly of itching and increased vaginal discharge. There were no significant changes in laboratory tests with the gel. There was a high acceptability rate among participants; 94% of women said they would definitely or probably use the gel if it were available and if they wanted protection from HIV transmission. A larger Phase II study in at-risk women was due to begin in spring 2006. (1)

(1.) Lifespan. 10 February 2006. At: <http://www.lifespan.org/news/2006/02/tmh-hiv_2_10_06.htm>.