Short-term effects of cannabinoids in patients with HIV-1 infection: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

• Published in: Annals of internal medicine Vol. 139; no. 4; p. 258
• Main Authors: Abrams, Donald I, Hilton, Joan F, Leiser, Roslyn J, Shade, Starley B, Elbeik, Tarek A, Aweeka, Francesca T, Benowitz, Neal L, Bredt, Barry M, Kosel, Bradley, Aberg, Judith A, Deeks, Steven G, Mitchell, Thomas F, Mulligan, Kathleen, Bacchetti, Peter, McCune, Joseph M, Schambelan, Morris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American College of Physicians 19.08.2003
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Cannabinoids - adverse effects; Cannabinoids - pharmacology; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; Dronabinol - pharmacology; Drug Interactions; Female; HIV; HIV Infections - immunology; HIV Infections - virology; HIV Protease Inhibitors - pharmacokinetics; HIV Protease Inhibitors - pharmacology; HIV-1 - drug effects; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Indinavir - pharmacokinetics; Indinavir - pharmacology; Male; Marijuana; Nelfinavir - pharmacokinetics; Nelfinavir - pharmacology; Patients; RNA, Viral - blood; Side effects; Viral Load

Cannabinoid use could potentially alter HIV RNA levels by two mechanisms: immune modulation or cannabinoid-protease inhibitor interactions (because both share cytochrome P-450 metabolic pathways). To determine the short-term effects of smoked marijuana on the viral load in HIV-infected patients. Ran...