DESCRIPTION: A Phase II study of Merck’s experimental integrase inhibitor, MK-0518, enrolled167 HIV positive participants, most of whom had evidenceof resistance to drugs in three available classes (nukes, non-nukes and PIs). The study volunteers were randomlyassigned to receive one of three doses of MK-0518 ora placebo, in combination with a regimen of currentlyapproved HIV drugs.
FINDINGS: After 16 weeks of treatment, 72% of study volunteers receiving the highest MK-0518 dose (600 mg twice daily) had viral loads below 50, compared with 16% of the study volunteers who took the placebo.The most common side effects included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, flushing, itching and injection-site reactions. However, these side effects were reported in the volunteers who received the placebo, as well as those who took MK-0518.
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