FDA warns of drug interactions between boceprevir, HIV therapies

The FDA has notified health care professionals and patients of a drug interaction between boceprevir and HIV therapies: atazanavir, lopinavir and darunavir. The effectiveness of these therapies may be potentially reduced when taken together, according to an FDA press release.

Officials have revised labeling for boceprevir (Victrelis, Merck) to now include: "co-administration of boceprevir along with certain ritonavir-boosted HIV protease inhibitors is not recommended."

"Data from a drug-drug interaction study and clinical trial showed that co-administration increased the possibility of reducing the effectiveness of the medicines, permitting the amount of HCV or HIV virus in the blood to increase," according to the release.