500mg saquinavir (Invirase) approved in Europe

18 April 2005. Related: Antiretrovirals.

Roche announced on 22 February 2005, that the European regulatory agency (CHMP, Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) delivered a positive opinion to market 500 mg saquinavir HGC (Invirase). This new formulation will reduce dosing for most patients to two pills twice daily.

Invirase 500 mg was approved in the USA by the FDA in December. The licensed dose of Invirase is 1000mg of Invirase 500mg twice daily taken in combination with 100mg ritonavir, also twice daily.

Ritonavir should be taken at the same time as Invirase and both drugs should be taken within 2 hours after a meal

For further information on this in the UK please contact Rebecca Hunt at Roche on 07786 171 214.

Source: Roche press release