United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
National HIV/AIDS Program
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Clinical Trials

What are the benefits and risks?

Before you start a clinical trial, you should think about the positive and negative things that may happen. In addition, keep a list of questions to ask before joining a trial.

Benefits:
  • You may get frequent free checkups from specialists.
  • You can get free medicine.
  • You can get new medicine that is not yet available from your regular doctor and may work better than the old medicine.
  • You may learn a lot about your condition and how to take care of yourself.
  • You may help medical researchers to find better treatments for all patients with HIV.
Risks:
  • You may have side effects from the medicine that you did not expect.
  • You may have to have frequent office visits, blood tests, and other medical exams.
  • You may not get better from the treatment.
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Contents

Treatment Main
Clinical Trials
What is a clinical trial?
How do they work?
How do I begin?
What is informed consent?
Does it cost anything?
How long do they last?
Are there different types?
How long before a drug is approved?
Who pays for trials?
Who can join?
What are the benefits and risks?
Resources

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