Drug–drug interactions between gender‐affirming hormone therapy and antiretrovirals for treatment/prevention of HIV

Abstract

Transgender persons face a greater burden of HIV compared to cisgender counterparts. Concerns around drug–drug interactions (DDIs) have been cited as reasons for lower engagement in HIV care and lower pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among transgender populations. It is therefore imperative for hormone therapy, PrEP and antiretroviral therapy providers to understand the DDI potential between these therapies.Studies of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) PrEP with feminizing hormone therapies (FHTs) show reduced plasma tenofovir concentrations, but intracellular concentrations of tenofovir‐diphosphate are not reduced. Efficacy of PrEP is expected to be maintained despite this interaction. Masculinizing hormone therapies have no effect on tenofovir concentrations but may increase FTC to a nonclinically relevant extent. No interactions between FHT and cabotegravir or tenofovir alafenamide have been demonstrated. Administration of TDF/FTC PrEP has no effect on hormone levels in transmen or transwomen. PrEP is expected to be effective and safe in transpersons and should be provided to high‐risk individuals regardless of gender affirming hormone use.Enzyme inducing/inhibiting antiretroviral therapy may decrease or increase, respectively, the concentrations of FHT and masculinizing hormone therapy. Unboosted integrase inhibitors or enzyme neutral non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are not expected to affect and are not affected by gender affirming hormones and can be considered in transmen and transwomen. Overlapping toxicities including weight gain, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease and bone density effects should be considered, and antiretroviral modifications can be made to minimize toxicities. Interactions between supportive care medications should be assessed to avoid chelation interactions and hyperkalaemia.