Michael C Thigpen, Poloko M Kebaabetswe, Lynn A Paxton, Dawn K Smith, Charles E Rose, Tebogo M Segolodi, Faith L Henderson, Sonal R Pathak, Fatma A Soud, Kata L Chillag, Rodreck Mutanhaurwa, Lovemore Ian Chirwa, Michael Kasonde, Daniel Abebe, Evans Buliva, Roman J Gvetadze, Sandra Johnson, Thom Sukalac, Vasavi T Thomas, Clyde Hart, Jeffrey A Johnson, C Kevin Malotte, Craig W Hendrix, John T Brooks
BACKGROUND: Preexposure prophylaxis with antiretroviral agents has been shown to reduce the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men; however, the efficacy among heterosexuals is uncertain. METHODS: We randomly assigned HIV-seronegative men and women to receive either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) or matching placebo once daily. Monthly study visits were scheduled, and participants received a comprehensive package of prevention services, including HIV testing, counseling on adherence to medication, management of sexually transmitted infections, monitoring for adverse events, and individualized counseling on risk reduction; bone mineral density testing was performed semiannually in a subgroup of participants...
August 2, 2012: New England Journal of Medicine