Injectable PrEP
with Lenacapavir
- Use every 6 months.
- Hassle free sex. >99% effective
- Requires a clinic visit. Medication leaves the body slowly when you stop. You must switch to pills to maintain protection.
A drug called Lenacapavir is injected under the skin on your belly, butt, thigh, or back of your arm every 6 months.
There are 2 injections of this drug each time it is given. When you first start taking Lenacapavir, you’ll also take 2 pills on day 1 and 2 pills on day 2 as a loading dose. Then injections every 6 months.
Lenacapavir is also known by its trade name of Yeztugo®.
If you get your injections on time, it works extremely well.
It’s greater than 99% effective when used every 6 months.
Anyone can use it.
There are some drug interactions you should be aware of. You should check with your health care provider about other interactions with medications you are taking.
Two injections, every 6 months, given in the clinic. Plus loading doses as a new user.
You get your injections on time.
Not really. Missing doses can be problematic.
But if you cannot avoid a missed dose, you can take oral PrEP as a bridge until your next injection.
The important thing is to keep your protection level consistent.
The injection can be painful but icing for 10 minutes before the injections can reduce the pain.
Most people get a nodule (lump under the skin) where the drug is injected, which can last for a while. The average is about 10 months. They can be the size of a blueberry or even a grape or not noticeable at all. It will be larger or smaller, depending on your body’s reaction to it. They can hide out in the fat under the skin, so they can be less noticeable depending on the injection site. They are not generally painful but can be red for a few days.
The drug is equally effective in any of the four injection sites so it doesn’t matter where you get the injection.
Some people get a headache or nausea that usually lasts a few days.
Nope. No planning needed around sex.
It may be more expensive than the generic form of daily Truvada®.
It will depend on your insurance. Lenacapavir is covered under Medi-Cal. Depending on your income and insurance status, you may qualify for their Medication Assistance Program or Savings Program. Without insurance or patient assistance programs, it can cost about $14,000/injection (every 6 months).
It can be more private. No pills to take regularly.
No need to plan for sex at all. You can be as spontaneous as you want.
Alcohol and other drugs do not affect PrEP.
It requires a clinic visit for injections every 6 months, twice a year.
Once injected, you can’t take it out. The medication leaves your body very slowly – it can last over a year.
If you stop injections and still need HIV protection, you’ll need to start another prevention method, like oral PrEP, for a time.
This is because diminishing levels can’t protect you. And, the remaining drugs in your body could cause drug resistance if exposed to HIV.
There is no known effect on hormones such as testosterone or estradiol. Hormones also do not affect PrEP levels. So, you’re good!
Lenacapavir stops HIV from reproducing so it’s really difficult to infect you.
Click to watch a video about Injectable PrEP with lenacapavir.
