Due to drug-drug interactions between efavirenz (EFV) and progestins, HIV-infected women on EFV-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) and using the etonogestrel implant have significantly lower systemic ENG concentrations than HIV-infected women not on ART. This finding has raised concerns regarding the contraceptive efficacy of the ENG implant for women on EFV-based ART and clinical studies have an increased rate of pregnancies for women on EFV-based ART and using a contraceptive implant. This study a randomized, open-label, longitudinal pharmacodynamic study to compare frequency of ovulation between a control group of HIV-infected women on efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy receiving standard dose etonogestrel (ENG) implant and a treatment group receiving increased dose ENG implant. The overall goal is to assess the pharmacodynamic significance of the known drug-drug interaction between EFV and ENG and to determine if the increased dose will overcome this interaction. Overall, this study will improve long-acting reversible contraceptive treatment options for women living with HIV and prevent unintended pregnancy.
This study will evaluate the frequency of ovulation and cervical mucus quality of HIV-infected women on efavirenz (EFV)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) using either a single etonogestrel (ENG) implant or two ENG implants for at least one year.