HIV Vaginal Gel: An Overview of PRO 2000

With an estimated five million new cases people suffering from infection of HIV, research and development continues in an effort to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted disease prevention.  As part of the research, new development in the movement against the spread of HIV may be on the horizon. With research continuing, preliminary results supporting the effectiveness of the HIV vaginal gels, in the prevention of the spread of HIV, are significantly optimistic.

Under a variety of names the HIV vaginal gel has been studied, widely, in administration in Africa. For sexually active women, ages 18 to 35, studies shows the HIV vaginal gel may be effective at blocking the HIV virus, in addition to the herpes virus, for up to one hour after sexual intercourse.  While considered a preventative measure aimed at women, the HIV vaginal gel, when administered prior to sexual activity, provides women with an avenue for potential protection against the transmission of a variety of sexually transmitted diseases without the side effects commonly found in spermacides, including redness and swelling of vaginal tissue.

One such HIV vaginal product, PRO 2000, manufactured by Indevus Pharmaceuticals, may be the first to obtain FDA approval, as early as a few years.  In Pro 2000 studies, results seem to indicate the prevention of sexually transmitted diseses is possible, most noteably in those exposed to HIV.  In preliminary tests, women currenty suffering from HIV were administered the PRO 2000 HIV vaginal gel while another group of HIV positive women were administered a placebo. Testing vaginal secretions, following administration, women who were administered the PRO 2000 HIV vaginal gel were found to test negative for live virus seeming to indicate the PRO 2000 mircobide vaginal cream may be eliminating the HIV virus resulting in a greater risk of transmission to a sexual partner.