Effective prolonged suppression of HIV-1 viral load using tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine and efavirenz in an adult with BMI >59 kg/m²

Limited information is available regarding the efficacy of antiretrovirals in people with HIV-1 and high or very high Body Mass Index (BMI). This is especially the case for the alafenamide salt of tenofovir as clinical trials have only enrolled patients with BMI ≤30 kg/m². Lower concentrations of some antiretrovirals are expected in patients with BMI >30 kg/m² due to potential changes in clearance and distribution of medication. This report describes an individual taking tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine and efavirenz in whom HIV-1 viral load was consistently undetectable (<50 copies/ml) over a 2.5 year period. During this period the patient’s BMI ranged between 59.8 and 68.1 kg/m². Further data is required to support the efficacy of antiretrovirals in individuals with high and very high BMI.