Learn what a clinical trial is, the risks and benefits, and what participation involves.
Joining an AIDS clinical trial brings both benefits and
risks.
An AIDS clinical trial is a sponsored research study in
humans that looks for drugs to treat HIV/AIDS.
A trial can also test already existing drugs in different
combinations and amounts to determine if they have a greater
impact on the disease.
Clinical trial volunteers are not given new drugs until
laboratory and animal studies are completed and show promising
results. Scientists have found that clinical trials are the
safest way to determine if a new drug should be used.
There are several benefits involved with
participating in a clinical trial. These include:
- Access to new treatments not yet available to the general
public
- Expert medical care at leading health care centers
- New drugs are available free of charge
- Allows one to contribute towards science
When you join a clinical trial, you must also be aware that
there are possible risks involved. These risks
include:
- Possible side effects
- Drugs may not provide you with a positive benefit, or
they may even be harmful
- Study participation may be very time consuming and may
include frequent visits to the clinic
When deciding whether or not to participate in a clinical
trial, remember that there is a high regard for
confidentiality that exists at the Duke AIDS
Research and Treatment Clinic. All study records and patient
information are kept confidential.
