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The most basic question to ask is "What is HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)?" Pre-exposure prophylaxis is new HIV prevention method in which people that do not have HIV take a daily pill to reduce their risk of becoming infected. When used consistently, Pre-exposure prophylaxis has been shown to be effective in men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexually-active men and women. This form of treatment uses antiretroviral drugs which are used in treating HIV infections, and the drugs that researchers are testing are Tenofovir and Emtricitabine in a combined tablet. Studies done in animal models have demonstrated that this combination was very effective for preventing HIV infection. A human trial performed last year also demonstrated that this combination was able to cut down on potential infections. The average reduction was 42 percent (range: 15 to 65 percent according to cases). What is required for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to work effectively? One difference between the animal and human studies is the fact that human beings are not in cages and closely monitored. The human trials involve giving the medications to high-risk groups and having them report for testing every few weeks. Test subjects who adhere to the drug protocol closely had more protection than those that did not follow the protocol closely. So, in order for this to work, those taking the drugs must closely follow protocols in order to get the most effect from it. They were also advised to systematically use condoms, and these prevention measures were assessed and repeated at each protocol visit. Which groups would benefit from HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)? The safest method for preventing transmission of the HIV virus involves not having unprotected sex or not sharing used drug needles. The pre-exposure prophylaxis can be seen as an additional measure of HIV prevention. Some have suggested it would work for couples who want to conceive children when one partner is HIV positive and the other one is not. For some individuals at high risk for HIV infection, Pre-exposure prophylaxis may represent a much-needed additional HIV prevention method, but it will not be right for everyone. Also, Pre-exposure prophylaxis is not intended to be used in isolation, but rather in combination with other methods to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV. If it is delivered effectively and targeted to those at highest risk, Pre-exposure prophylaxis may play a role in helping to reduce the significant continuing toll of new HIV infections in the United States. Based on studies to date, in July 2012 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the combination medication Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate plus Emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) for use as PrEP among sexually active adults at risk for HIV infection. What are common concerns about the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)? In the US, AIDS organizations have expressed concerns that using PrEP would potentially give a false sense of safety, and may lead to lower usage of condoms among high-risk populations. Another concern raised is the fact that using the drug before an infection would build up drug resistance in case of infection in the future. There are ethical concerns about how the drug testing goes on among high-risk populations. These concerns include the use of a placebo with a deadly disease and the lack of counselling trial patients receive in some locations. The PrEP may be a step in the right direction, but it is not the perfect answer for HIV infection. Finally, another ethical concern is making available antiretroviral drugs for prevention to uninfected populations who can afford them, although millions of infected patients around the world cannot afford this therapy! By: Scott C Baxter To see the most comprehensive LGBT community, visit http://gayworlddailynews.com/
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