New once-weekly HIV pill matches daily treatment in phase 3 trial

A new once-weekly HIV pill has matched standard daily treatment in maintaining viral suppression in a Phase 3 trial. The treatment could offer a simpler option for some people living with HIV, but experts say it is not yet suitable for everyone.Weekly HIV pill clears phase 3Living with HIV often means taking antiretroviral treatment every day to keep the virus under control. While modern HIV medicines have made it possible for people to live long and healthy lives, taking medication regularly can still be a challenge for some patients. A new once-weekly HIV pill could potentially make treatment simpler, after a large Phase 3 trial found that it was as effective as daily treatment at maintaining viral suppression.The experimental tablet combines two medicines, islatravir and lenacapavir. If approved, it could become the first complete once-weekly oral HIV treatment. The findings from the Phase 3 ISLEND 2 trial were published in The Lancet after being presented at the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro.WHAT DID THE HIV STUDY FIND?The Phase 3 trial involved 626 adults across 100 sites in 14 countries and territories. Among them, 314 participants switched to the once-weekly islatravir and lenacapavir tablet, while 312 continued their existing daily HIV treatment.After 48 weeks, HIV remained suppressed in almost all participants receiving the weekly treatment. Only one person in the weekly group had a viral load of at least 50 copies/mL, compared with four people in the daily treatment group. The researchers found that the weekly treatment was not significantly less effective than standard daily therapy. Treatment adherence was also high, with median adherence reaching 100 per cent. Nearly all participants took at least 90 per cent of their prescribed weekly doses.Participants who switched to the weekly pill also reported greater satisfaction with their treatment and felt that it placed less burden on them.WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM A WEEKLY HIV PILL? The findings are promising, but experts caution against assuming that the pill will work equally well for every person living with HIV.The study mainly looked at people who were already doing well on HIV treatment. Participants had suppressed HIV, had been receiving treatment for at least six months and had no history of treatment failure.This means the results provide less information about people who are starting HIV treatment for the first time, those with detectable viral loads, people who frequently miss medicines or those with drug-resistant HIV.WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?The weekly treatment was generally well tolerated. However, treatment-related side effects were reported more often in the weekly treatment group.Most side effects were mild or moderate. Headache was reported in 5 per cent of participants, while nausea and diarrhoea were each reported in 3 per cent of participants.Researchers will continue to follow the participants for longer-term results, with follow-up planned for 96 weeks.COULD IT CHANGE HIV TREATMENT IN INDIA?India currently relies mainly on daily antiretroviral therapy for adults and adolescents in its public HIV treatment programme. If the weekly pill is eventually approved and becomes accessible, it could provide another option for people whose HIV is already well controlled.The biggest potential advantage is convenience. Instead of taking around 365 doses a year, patients could potentially take only 52 weekly doses.However, the new pill is still under evaluation. People living with HIV should continue their prescribed treatment and should not switch medicines without speaking to their healthcare provider.If you want, I can also make this more clickbait and Times Now style, while keeping the medical information accurate.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 10:47 IST