treatment interruptions as an answer to lipo-
atrophy. But it was proof in principle that if medications that don't
cause facial wasting can be developed, the 'skull-face' look need not
be permanent.
Tenofovir and ddI for breakfast?
Last month Positive Nation reported a study which confirmed that if ddI
is taken with food, about a third less of the drug is available to the
body. New studies indicate that the new anti-HIV drug tenofovir (Viread)
boosts levels of ddI by 30 per cent if both are taken with an empty stomach.
Dr Mark Nelson of London's Kobler Clinic told Positive Nation: "Studies
are underway to find out if the same thing happens if both drugs are taken
with food. If so, ddI could become an easier drug to take."
Female condom training works
The Femidom, the female condom, has been around for a long time now, but
is still not widely used. However when women in Baltimore, Seattle and
New York were given six-weekly group sessions helping them use the Femidom,
and persuading partners to let them use it, they were considerably more
likely than a control group to have used the Femidom in the previous 30
days.
Many US women denied drugs
A study of 1,690 US women with HIV has revealed that, even though the
majority had symptoms of Aids, many were either still not offered antiviral
therapy or had to stop taking it. Factors associated with lack of treatment
included alcohol and drug use and difficulties with health insurance.
African-American women were less likely to be on therapy than white and
Hispanic women. The study authors comment: "We need
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