Emtricitabine: a once-daily nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pharmacology, virology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) emtricitabine.


METHODS
English-language reports were accessed using MEDLINE (1966-June 2003) and the Iowa Drug Information Service database (1966-June 2003) using emtricitabine and Coviracil as key words. (Coviracil was the proposed trade name for the product prior to approval.) The Internet was also searched using the terms HIV/AIDS conferences, then emtricitabine within the conference proceedings.


METHODS
Abstracts, posters, and oral presentations from scientific conferences, both published and unpublished, were included. Preference was given to published controlled trials. Studies providing a description of the pharmacology, virology, effectiveness, safety, or pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine were used in this review.


RESULTS
Emtricitabine is an NRTI used to treat HIV-1 infection. Once-daily administration can decrease pill burden and potentially increase adherence to multidrug HIV therapy. Further, emtricitabine has shown equivalent or improved outcomes compared with lamivudine and stavudine.


CONCLUSIONS
Emtricitabine is a safe and effective option for HIV-1 infection in adults as part of a multidrug regimen. It may be a better alternative than lamivudine for once-daily therapy because of its extended intracellular half-life and better than lamivudine and stavudine because of a possibly decreased potential for drug resistance.
Modrzejewski
Krysten A
KA
Iowa Drug Information Service, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 100 Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000, USA.
Herman
Ronald A
RA
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D024921:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Viral; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068679:Emtricitabine