HIV Drug's weight gain mystery: healthy volunteer study probes root cause

NCT ID NCT04771754

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This completed Phase 1 trial studied 16 healthy volunteers to see if the HIV drug dolutegravir affects insulin sensitivity, fat metabolism, and hormone levels. Researchers aim to understand why some HIV patients gain weight while taking this medication. Participants took dolutegravir or a placebo, and changes were measured using advanced techniques like glucose clamps and calorimetry.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Dolutegravir (Tivicay)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help explain why some HIV patients gain weight on dolutegravir, potentially leading to better management strategies.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study in healthy volunteers, not HIV patients, so results may not directly apply to the real-world setting. It only looks at short-term effects.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HIV-1-INFECTION ON HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

HIV infectious disease Insulin Resistance

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Arnold Xhikola

    London, SW10 0XD, United Kingdom