Weight, Anthropometric and Metabolic Changes After Discontinuing Antiretroviral Therapy Containing Tenofovir Alafenamide in People With HIV

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-related weight gain is of particular concern in people with HIV (PWH).

Although weight gain was observed among PWH receiving tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), little is known about the potential reversibility after TAF discontinuation.

We evaluated weight and metabolic changes 12 months after TAF discontinuation in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

METHODS: We included participants who received at least 6 months of TAF-containing ART between January 2016 and March 2023.

Using multivariable mixed-effect models, changes in weight and lipid levels were compared between individuals who continued TAF and those who switched to one of the following TAF-free regimens: (1) tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based ART, (2) dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC), or (3) long-acting cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV).

RESULTS: Of 6555 participants (median age 54 years, 24.3% female, 13% Black), 5485 (83.7%) continued, and 1070 (16.3%) stopped TAF.

Overall, discontinuing TAF was associated with an adjusted mean weight change of −0.54 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] −.98 to −.11) after 12 months.

In stratified analyses, switching from TAF to TDF led to an adjusted mean weight decrease of −1.84 kg (95% CI −2.72 to −.97), and to a decrease in mean total cholesterol (−0.44 mmol/L) and triglycerides (−0.38 mmol/L) after 12 months.

Switching from TAF-based ART to DTG/3TC (−0.17 kg, 95% CI −.82 to .48) or long-acting CAB/RPV (−0.64 kg, 95% CI −2.16 to .89) did not lead to reductions in weight.

CONCLUSIONS: Replacing TAF with TDF in PWH led to a decrease in body weight and an improved lipid profile within 1 year.

Weight changes were not observed among individuals who switched to DTG/3TC or long-acting CAB/RPV.