[AIDS 2026] aidsmap: Alternative first-line HIV regimen limits excess weight gain

aidsmap news story

Starting treatment with a regimen containing doravirine and tenofovir disoproxil resulted in less weight gain than starting treatment with a regimen containing dolutegravir and tenofovir alafenamide, a South African study reported at AIDS 2026.

The available evidence suggests that weight gain can occur after starting antiretroviral treatment regardless of the drugs in the regimen. Studies consistently show that weight gain is greater in women and Black populations, especially when taking tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in combination with an integrase inhibitor, such as dolutegravir or bictegravir.

Attempts to reverse weight gain by switching away from these drugs have been largely unsuccessful. However, prevention of significant weight gain when starting HIV treatment may be more achievable than reversal after weight gain is established.

South African researchers investigated whether starting treatment with a regimen that does not include TAF or an integrase inhibitor would result in equivalent levels of viral suppression but less weight gain.

Read the full news story here.

View all aidsmap reports from AIDS 2026

SEE ALSO:

• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Another HIV treatment option – but with less weight-gain
• MedPage Today: ART regimen effective, led to less weight gain in treatment-naive HIV