HIV drug fails to prove COVID-19 prevention in abandoned trial

NCT ID NCT04405271

Terminated Prevention Sponsor: Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a daily pill used for HIV (TAF/FTC) could prevent COVID-19 in healthcare workers at high risk of exposure. Over 1,300 workers were randomly assigned to get the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks. The trial was stopped early, so it's unclear if the drug had any real benefit.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (FTC/TAF) oral tablet
What this could lead to: If it had worked, this could have pointed toward a new way to prevent COVID-19 in high-risk workers using an existing HIV drug.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early, so we don't have clear evidence it works. Also, this drug is normally for HIV, and its effectiveness against COVID-19 was uncertain from the start.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COVID-19 HEALTHCARE WORKERS SARS-COV-2

Contacts and locations

Locations

Sociedad Argentina de Infectología, A. J. Carranza 974

Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., C1085, Argentina

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