Hepatitis drug may be linked with resistant strain of HIV: Health Canada
Last Updated: Thursday, February 22, 2007 | 4:01 PM ET
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Health Canada has received new information about an antiviral hepatitis medication suggesting the drug may have been tied to the onset of a treatment-resistant strain of HIV in one patient with the disease.
Entecavir, which is sold under the brand name Baraclude, was authorized for use in Canada in June 2006 to treat hepatitis B in adults.
The manufacturer, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada, has provided Health Canada with a U.S. report detailing the case of a patient infected with both hepatitis B and HIV.
Health Canada says the patient's HIV infection became resistant to common HIV drugs while taking Baraclude. Bristol Myers Squibb has also filed two other reports regarding two patients with HIV who underwent a reduction in their HIV levels while using Baraclude alone.
Studies of Baraclude have so far not indicated that the drug is linked with the onset of medication-resistant strains of HIV.
Health Canada is currently reviewing the new information and will provide new safety recommendations if warranted.
Canadians taking Baraclude should consult with their physicians over any concerns. For more information, consumers can call Health Canada's public enquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
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