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

Results: 62 study participants were eligible for the primary end point (marijuana group, 20 patients; dronabinol group, 22 patients; and placebo group, 20 patients). Baseline HIV RNA level was less than 50 copies/mL for 36 participants (58%), and the median CD4 cell count was 340 10 9 cells/L. When adjusted for baseline variables, the estimated average effect versus placebo on change in log10 viral load from baseline to day 21 was 0.07 (95% CI, 0.30 to 0.13) for marijuana and 0.04 (CI, 0.20 to 0.14) for dronabinol. The adjusted average changes in viral load in marijuana and dronabinol relative to placebo were 15% (CI, 50% to 34%) and 8% (CI, 37% to 37%), respectively. Neither CD4 nor CD8 cell counts appeared to be adversely affected by the cannabinoids. Conclusions: Smoked and oral cannabinoids did not seem to be unsafe in people with HIV infection with respect to HIV RNA levels, CD4 and CD8 cell counts, or protease inhibitor levels over a 21-day treatment.