Doctors Look To Clear Up Misconceptions On HIV Prevention Drug Truvada
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Some doctors say it's time to set the record straight on the HIV prevention drug Truvada, also known as "PrEP."
The gay community in San Francisco has seen a lot of success with the HIV prevention drug, but initial misconceptions about the drug have proven harmful.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation took some heat from the gay community in calling Truvada a "party drug" that would increase chances for sexually transmitted diseases among sexually-active gay men.
"I think we may have made a little bit of a mistake in promoting the negative aspects of PrEP without emphasizing the positive aspects of PrEP," Dr. Adam Zweig, Regional Medical Director of the foundation told KCBS.
Zweig says the advocacy arm for the foundation went a little too far.
"So, if someone is on Truvada, and taking it correctly for the prevention of HIV application, would that increase the rate of unsafe sexual exposures, and thereby increasing the rate in the community of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other STI's as well?" Zweig said.
Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center conducted a 32-month study and had great success among the participants who reported no new HIV infections while taking the drug.