FDA approves new formulation of Invirase

The Food and Drug Administration last week approved a new formulation of the protease inhibitor Invirase made by Roche. The new 500-milligram tablets will decrease the pill burden for HIV patients from 10 pills to four pills daily. The tablets also are smaller in size than the 200-milligram capsules currently available. "With the new Invirase 500-milligram tablet now available, pill burden is considerably reduced, and we anticipate that this improved convenience, together with 'boosted' Invirase's record of convincing data, will result in an expansion of its use in the earlier stages of HIV therapy," said William Burns, head of Roche's pharmaceutical division, in a press statement.