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What is SCH-C?
- SCH-C is no longer being studied for the treatment of HIV infection. There have been concerns about the effect of SCH-C on the hearts of people who took this drug in early clinical trials. In turn, the Schering-Plough Research Institute is now focusing on another entry inhibitor, vicriviroc (SCH-417690), which is currently in early stages of development.
- SCH-C is an experimental entry inhibitor developed by the Schering-Plough Research Institute.
- SCH-C binds to a protein on the membrane of T-cells called CCR5. Once it does this, HIV cannot successfully bind with the surface of T-cells, thus preventing the virus from infecting healthy cells.
- SCH-C will most likely need to be used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs.
What is already known about SCH-C?
- A dose for SCH-C has not yet been determined. SCH-C is being studied in a pill form, which means that it can be taken by mouth. The doses currently being evaluated in clinical trials are 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg, which need to be taken twice a day.
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 SCH-C might interact with other medications, including those used to treat HIV. It is important that your personal physician and/or the research nurse or study investigator be aware of all drugs you are taking, including those you buy without a prescription.
- SCH-C holds promise for HIV-positive patients who have tried and failed other anti-HIV drugs in the past. Because SCH-C targets HIV differently than the protease inhibitors (PIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), chances are that most people living with the virus – regardless of their treatment history – will likely benefit from using SCH-C.
- SCH-C will likely be active against HIV that is resistant to other entry inhibitors, including Fuzeon® (T-20) and T-1249.
What do we know about SCH-C from clinical trials?
- In one small study conducted by Schering-Plough, 24 HIV-positive patients who had more than 250 T-cells took either 25mg or 50mg SCH-C for ten days, without any other anti-HIV drugs. The drug was given twice a day. After ten days of treatment, the study volunteers who took 25mg SCH-C twice a day saw their HIV viral load decrease by 0.7 log (68%) and those who took 50mg SCH-C twice a day saw their viral load decrease 1.1 log (more than 90%).
- SCH-C is now being studied in phase II clinical trials.
What is known about side effects?
- Some HIV-positive people who have taken SCH-C in clinical trials have experienced irregular heart beats while taking the drug. This has occurred in some patients taking low doses of SCH-C. It's still not clear how serious this is and studies are now being conducted to look at this concern.
- Other side effects may occur as a result of taking SCH-C. These have not yet been fully examined in clinical trials and have not yet been reviewed by the FDA.
Who should not take SCH-C?
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 It is not known whether SCH-C will harm an unborn baby. It is very important to treat HIV/AIDS during pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting your baby. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
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 It is not known whether SCH-C passes into breast milk and what effect it may have on a nursing baby. To prevent transmission of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that HIV-positive mothers not breast-feed.
Where can I learn more about clinical trials of SCH-C?
- If you would like to find out if you are eligible for any clinical trials that include SCH-C, there is an interactive web site run by ACRIA, the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America.
- Another useful service for finding clinical trials is AIDSinfo.nih.gov, a site run by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. They have "health information specialists" you can talk to at their toll-free number at 1-800-HIV-0440 (1-800-448-0440).
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