The FDA, Wednesday, approved the first triple-drug pill for HIV/AIDS, called Atripla (tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz).
The pill, which is taken once daily, combines three antivirals currently on the market – Viread (tenofovir), Emtriva (emtricitabine) and Sustiva (efavirenz), the latter two of which are also sold in combination as Truvada.
Unlike other treatments, which are taken twice daily (and in many cases, patients require more than one medication), Atripla is taken only once daily, a big boost for patient compliance; If a patient misses only 5% of their doses, drug resistant strains of the virus can emerge.
Atripla costs the same as Viread and Truvada – about $1150 for a one-month supply – but insured patients will only have to pay one copay instead of two.