Smartphone app and digital pill aim to boost HIV prevention in substance users

NCT ID NCT03512418

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested a digital pill and smartphone app to help people with substance use disorders take their HIV prevention medication (PrEP) consistently. Thirty HIV-negative men who have sex with men and have moderate to severe substance use disorder participated. They used a digital pill that sends a signal when swallowed, and some also received a smartphone-based intervention to encourage adherence. The goal was to see if this approach is feasible and acceptable.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) overencapsulated in a digital pill
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could help people with substance use disorders take their HIV prevention medication more consistently, reducing HIV infections.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early feasibility study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply to larger populations. The digital pill system may be inconvenient or not acceptable to all users.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HIV INFECTIONS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Fenway Health

Boylston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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