Opioids and the HIV prevention drug cabotegravir — how they interact
Title: Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic , and toxicological interactions among Opioids and Cabotegravir
This project looks at whether common opioids change how the HIV prevention medicine cabotegravir is processed and whether that could affect safety or protection for people with opioid use disorder or at risk for HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138677 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take opioids and cabotegravir, researchers will examine whether opioids change how cabotegravir is broken down by the UGT enzyme and whether that raises toxicity or lowers protection. The team will use laboratory models and human-relevant samples to measure drug levels, signs of toxicity, and changes in viral and inflammatory markers. They will also explore how these drug combinations affect tissues where HIV can hide, using experiments that reflect real-world co-use of opioids and antiretrovirals. Findings are intended to guide safer use of cabotegravir for people with opioid use disorder.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with opioid use disorder or who use opioids recreationally and who are using or considering cabotegravir for HIV prevention or treatment.
Not a fit: People who do not take opioids or who use different HIV medicines that are not cabotegravir are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to clearer safety guidance and prescribing recommendations so people taking opioids can use cabotegravir more safely and effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown opioid interactions with some antiretrovirals and worse outcomes in certain settings, but interactions specifically between opioids and cabotegravir are relatively untested and remain novel.
Where this research is happening
Miami, United States
- Florida International University — Miami, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Hage, Nazira — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: El-Hage, Nazira
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.