New guidelines on daily HIV prevention pill

Could have significant impact on the U.S. epidemic if targeted and used as directed

Health care providers should consider advising the use of anti-HIV drugs by uninfected patients who are at substantial risk of infection, according to new clinical guidelines.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, could reduce HIV infection rates. When taken daily as directed, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 90 percent. Inconsistent use results in much lower levels of protection.

“HIV infection is preventable, yet every year we see some 50,000 new HIV infections in the United States,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “PrEP, used along with other prevention strategies, has the potential to help at-risk individuals protect themselves and reduce new HIV infections in the US.”

The guidelines were announced May 14 in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The 67-page guidelines and 43-page clinical providers’ supplement are published in full at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/guidelines/PrEPguidelines2014.pdf and http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/guidelines/PrEPProviderSupplement2014.pdf.

The Gayly – May 15, 2014 @ 10:50am