Merck's Isentress approved for children, adolescents

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an HIV drug for children and adolescents, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Merck's Isentress (raltegravir) for HIV-1 infection in patients ages 2 to 18 years. The chewable form of the drug will be available for children ages 2 to 11 years.

"Many young children and adolescents are living with HIV, and this approval provides an important additional option for their treatment," FDA Office of Antimicrobial Products director Edward Cox said.

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