Of note, transaminase elevations occurred with the same frequency in placebo and drug groups, but GGTP elevation occurred only in the drug groups. The lessening of the drug effect on viral RNA appeared earlier in the American study. Both of these studies demonstrate impressive anti-viral activity of ritonavir, a protease inhibitor, which decreases after several weeks of treatment, however, due to the emergence of resistant mutations. Its antiviral activity appears to be greater than that of the other drugs, at least initially, its pharmacokinetics are favorable, and it is fairly well tolerated. Clearly, there will be more trials with this drug, particularly in combination with other therapy.
Levels increase in time because of appearance of drug resistant strains.
Since there is no evidence of clinical improvement in the patients, it is very unwise to promote mutant organisms that once transmitted result in a more difficult situation to treat. The FDA has become nothing but the ever compliant wagging tail of nonphysician AIDS activists. This is a dangerous problem that must be stopped. Mark I. Klein, MD Drug resistant mutations of various micro-organisms are becoming a major problem in infectious diseases. With the use of anti-viral therapy in HIV, the problem is very complicated.