Penetration of efavirenz into the male genital tract: drug concentrations and antiviral activity in semen and blood of HIV-1-infected men

S Taylor; H Reynolds; C A Sabin; S M Drake; D J White; D J Back; D Pillay

doi:10.1097/00002030-200110190-00022

Penetration of efavirenz into the male genital tract: drug concentrations and antiviral activity in semen and blood of HIV-1-infected men

AIDS. 2001 Oct 19;15(15):2051-3. doi: 10.1097/00002030-200110190-00022.

Authors

S Taylor¹, H Reynolds, C A Sabin, S M Drake, D J White, D J Back, D Pillay

Affiliation

¹ PHLS Antiviral Susceptibility Reference Unit, Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, UK.

PMID: 11600838
DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200110190-00022

Abstract

Efavirenz is a potent non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, licensed for the treatment of HIV-1. Data on sanctuary site penetration are limited. Therefore, we measured efavirenz concentrations in the blood and semen of 19 HIV-1-positive men and found concentrations in seminal plasma averaged 10% of those in blood plasma. Furthermore, seminal plasma viral loads were suppressed by 24 weeks of therapy in all patients. These data suggest that efavirenz-containing regimens have antiviral activity within the male genital tract.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alkynes
Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacokinetics*
Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
Benzoxazines
Cyclopropanes
Drug Therapy, Combination
HIV Infections / drug therapy*
HIV Infections / virology
HIV-1 / drug effects*
HIV-1 / physiology
Humans
Male
Oxazines / pharmacokinetics*
Oxazines / pharmacology
Oxazines / therapeutic use
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics*
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / pharmacology
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
Semen / chemistry*
Semen / virology
Viral Load

Substances

Alkynes
Anti-HIV Agents
Benzoxazines
Cyclopropanes
Oxazines
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
efavirenz