Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV in high-risk individuals

Abstract

This review evaluated the effects of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV infection in high-risk individuals. We identified 10 trials: eight ongoing or planned and two completed. Only one of the two completed trials met the criteria for this review. The included trial was not completed as planned because two of the trial centres were closed prematurely. It was found that daily oral use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in HIV-uninfected women was not associated with increased adverse events. The effectiveness of TDF in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV could not be evaluated conclusively because of the small number of HIV infections observed during the trial. The result, however, provides a rationale for further clinical trials to measure the value of oral antiretroviral drugs as prophylaxis against HIV infection. As a new approach to HIV prevention, prophylactic use of TDF or any other antiretroviral drug cannot be recommended at present. Larger clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness and safety of using any drug for pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV infection in various risk groups.

Citation

Okwundu, C.L.; Okoromah, C.A.N. Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV in high-risk individuals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2009) (Issue 1) Art. No.: CD007189. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007189.pub2]

Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV in high-risk individuals

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2009