Children

FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva) has been approved for paediatric use in children three months of age and older. Oral solution dosing is 6mg/kg of body weight to a maximum dose of 240mg. Children weighing over 33 kilos can take a 200mg capsules once daily.

The efficacy and safety of emtricitabine has been demonstrated when used as part of an initial HAART regimen or as second-line therapy.1

One study has shown that 80% of 37 children treated with a triple regimen including FTC had undetectable viral load six months after starting treatment. The combination was equally effective in younger and older children.2 In a second study, the safety and efficacy of FTC in combination with two or three other antiretroviral drugs were demonstrated in children aged three months and older through 48 weeks of follow-up.3

Side-effects are generally similar in children and adults taking FTC, although there may be a greater risk of anaemia and skin discolouration in children. Dosing should be reduced in children with impaired renal function.

References

  1. Saez-Llorens X et al. Long-term safety and efficacy results of once-daily emtricitabine-based highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens in human immunodeficiency virus-infected pediatric subjects. Pediatrics 121(4): e827-835, 2008
  2. McKinney K et al. Extended follow-up and pharmacokinetics for once daily emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz for antiretroviral naïve children and adolescents. Eleventh Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, San Francisco, abstract 936, 2004
  3. Wiznia A et al. Once daily (QD) emtricitabine (FTC) with other antiretroviral agents (ART) in HIV-infected pediatric patients at 48 weeks. 15th International AIDS Conference, Bangkok, abstract TuPeB4431, 2004
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