Using gabapentin to help people with HIV reduce alcohol use and improve their health
Gabapentin to Reduce Alcohol and Improve Viral Load Suppression - Promoting "Treatment as Prevention"
This study is looking at whether gabapentin can help people living with HIV who have trouble with alcohol use by making it easier for them to stick to their HIV treatment and keep their viral load low.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10878993 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how gabapentin, a medication typically used to treat nerve pain and reduce alcohol consumption, can help people living with HIV (PWH) who struggle with unhealthy alcohol use. The study aims to determine if gabapentin can improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and lead to better viral load suppression, which is crucial for preventing HIV transmission. Participants will be involved in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, meaning neither they nor the researchers will know who receives the actual medication versus a placebo. This approach helps ensure the reliability of the results and the effectiveness of gabapentin in supporting PWH in their treatment journey.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are heavy drinkers and have had a detectable viral load in the past year.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV or those who do not struggle with alcohol use may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for people with HIV by enhancing their ability to manage alcohol use and achieve better viral load suppression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that interventions aimed at reducing alcohol use can positively impact HIV outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Samet, Jeffrey H. — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Samet, Jeffrey H.
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.