Integrase inhibitors go head to head

The experimental integrase inhibitor elvitegravir is equivalent to raltegravir (Isentress), the only approved drug in this class, new research shows.

A possible advantage of elvitegravir is that it is taken once daily. In contrast, raltegravir is one of the few antiretrovirals that needs to be taken twice a day.

Researchers compared the safety and effectiveness of the two drugs over two years. People in the study had previous experience of HIV treatment.

Rates of viral suppression were comparable, as were CD4 cell count increases and the frequency of side-effects.