HIV Update: Anti-HIV Pill Effective in Preventing Infection

The last phase of French-Canadian ANRS IPERGAY study has proven the high efficacy of the so-called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), or most commonly known as Truvada, in reducing the risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with the same gender and reported a high-risk behavior.

In the first phase of the study, the researchers recruited 333 seronegative men who have sex with the same gender with reported at-risk behavior in the six months prior to their inclusion. The participants were divided into two groups, with the first group taking and oral combination of TDF and FTC (Truvada) at the time of sexual relations, while the other half took a placebo.

Reuters reported that the participants were asked to take the anti-HIV medication as needed instead of each day. Two pills should be taken two to 24 hours before intercourse. Another tablet should be taken 24 hours after the deed is done and one more will be taken 48 hours after sex. In case of continuous sexual activity, the participants were asked to take a pill each day and a pill following two days after the intercourse.

The first trial revealed that the group taking Truvada had an 86 percent reduction in new HIV infections, compared to the placebo group.

According to a press release, the ANRS IPEGAY study entered its final trial in November 2014. In addition to the original 333 recruits from the randomized trial, another 29 new recruits joined the study. All the participants were asked to take Truvada as needed, just like in the first phase.

After 18 months, the researchers conducted a follow-up of the participants. The researchers discovered that the number of new HIV infections have dropped to 0.19 per 100 people per year from the 0.91 new infections per 100 persons per years in the first trial, successfully reducing the risk of HIV infection by 97 percent.

However, the researchers also noted a significant drop in condom use among the participants. They believe that participants who think that the anti-HIV drug is effective in protecting them against HIV are less likely to use condom during intercourse. Still, the researchers warn that there are still other sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted without condom.
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