How alcohol and fentanyl change HIV medicines

Therapeutic and mechanistic significance of altered metabolism of HIV medicines by alcohol- or alcohol/synthetic opioid combination

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · NIH-11143184

This project looks at whether drinking alcohol or using fentanyl changes how common HIV drugs like TAF and TDF are broken down and work for people with or at risk for HIV.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11143184 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will examine how alcohol and combinations of alcohol with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl alter the enzymes and transporters that process tenofovir prodrugs (TAF and TDF). The team will study drug breakdown, new metabolites (for example, ethyl-TAF), and changes in enzyme expression using laboratory models and relevant samples. Findings will be used to understand how these substance exposures might change drug levels, side effects, and effectiveness for people taking HIV treatment or using PrEP.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with HIV or people using PrEP who take tenofovir-containing medicines and who consume alcohol or use synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Not a fit: People not taking tenofovir-based regimens or who do not drink alcohol or use opioids are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor HIV treatment and prevention recommendations for people who drink alcohol or use opioids, improving safety and effectiveness.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies, including preliminary data from these investigators, found that alcohol can create a hybrid metabolite (ethyl-TAF) and alter drug-metabolizing enzymes, but clinical implications remain untested.

Where this research is happening

CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.