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.