Doravirine works as well as dolutegravir to suppress HIV viral load, study finds
If you're a Black, 34-year-old South African woman living with HIV, antiretroviral (ARV) treatment options have likely been limited to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), lamivudine (3TC) and the "gold standard," dolutegravir (DTG). Now, another once-daily, three-drug regimen has been found to be as effective as DTG in suppressing HIV viral load.
A study conducted by the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) has revealed that a once-daily combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), lamivudine (3TC) and doravirine (DOR) is as effective as dolutegravir (DTG) in suppressing HIV viral load. This combination, known as the Opti-DOR regimen, has been found to be noninferior to DTG while also causing significantly less weight gain and having a better lipid profile.
The research, presented at the 2026 International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science and published in JAMA, involved 600 participants from both rural KwaZulu-Natal and urban Gauteng. Lead author Dr. Joana Woods emphasizes that adherence to the doravirine regimen is crucial for its effectiveness in suppressing HIV viral load.
Failure to take the drug as prescribed can lead to drug resistance. The study's findings offer an important new treatment option for people living with HIV, particularly those at risk of weight gain and associated health complications.
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