Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Pharmaceutical companies are not just looking for new anti-HIV medications with fewer toxicities these days'they are also developing drugs specifically designed to combat the adverse side effects linked with currently available antiretrovirals. At East Brunswick, N.J.'based Savient Pharmaceuticals, researchers are organizing a Phase II clinical trial of a medication to treat pain caused by HIV-related neuropathy. Called Prosaptide, the drug is a peptide derived from the human growth protein prosaposin. Since it is a natural compound, it is believed to be free of the side effects caused by other types of pain medications. Peripheral neuropathy'usually marked by pain, tingling, or loss of feeling in the hands and feet'is relatively common among HIV-positive people and may be related to HIV disease or its treatment. Some AIDS experts worry that the longer patients take anti-HIV drugs, the greater their chances are for experiencing worsening neuropathy symptoms. Commonly used medications to treat neuropathy include opioids, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants, which can cause such adverse side effects as dizziness, drowsiness, cardiac arrhythmia, and even addiction. 'Current therapies for HIV/AIDS-related neuropathic pain include topical or oral analgesics, which have limited efficacy, or central nervous system'acting drugs, which are often accompanied by unacceptable side effects,' says Savient chairman and CEO Sim Fass. 'Our objective is to develop an analgesic product that effectively mitigates peripheral neuropathic pain without the dose-limiting side effects typical of current therapies in use.' The company began recruiting patients for the clinical trial at the end of the August and hopes to begin the efficacy test later this year.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lexi Love comes out as HIV+ after Trump deletes federal resources
January 23 2025 11:23 AM
Ricky Martin delivers showstopping performance for 2024 World AIDS Day
December 05 2024 12:08 PM
Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources
January 31 2025 5:29 PM
Meet our Health Hero of the Year, Armonté Butler
October 21 2024 12:53 PM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM
This long-term HIV survivor says testosterone therapy helped save his life.
December 16 2024 8:00 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes
April 03 2025 7:15 PM
The Talk Season 5 premieres this spring with HIV guidance for the newly diagnosed
March 26 2025 1:00 PM
Discover the power of Wellness in your life
March 26 2025 12:41 PM
Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring
March 26 2025 12:20 PM
Jess King is here to help you live your happiest, healthiest life yet
March 24 2025 4:35 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Trump admin moves to end federal HIV prevention programs
March 18 2025 6:10 PM
Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times
March 11 2025 3:38 PM
Celebrating Black History Month with our annual African American issue
February 01 2025 3:28 PM
Tyler TerMeer vows to continue to fight for health care for all
January 28 2025 3:00 PM
Plus nominated for 2025 GLAAD Media Award
January 22 2025 12:42 PM
A camp for HIV-positive kids is for sale. Here's why its founder is celebrating
January 02 2025 12:21 PM
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Trinity K Bonet quietly comes out trans
December 15 2024 6:27 PM
AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed at White House for the first time
December 02 2024 1:21 PM
Decades of progress, uniting to fight HIV/AIDS
December 01 2024 12:30 PM
Hollywood must do better on HIV representation
December 01 2024 9:00 AM
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
Post-election blues? Some advice from mental health experts
November 08 2024 12:36 PM
Check out our 2024 year-end issue!
October 28 2024 2:08 PM
AIDS/LifeCycle is ending after more than 30 years
October 17 2024 12:40 PM
Twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, an HIV-prevention drug, reduces risk by 96%
October 15 2024 5:03 PM