Injectable PrEP
with Apretude®
- Use every 2 months.
- Sex without planning. >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 Cabotegravir is injected into your butt muscle every 2 months to prevent HIV.
If you get your injections on time, it works extremely well.
It’s greater than 99% effective when used every 2 months.
Anyone, as long as they can receive an injection in their butt muscle.
Implants or fillers might interfere with the medication. You can discuss this with your clinician.
Your injections may be more difficult or not possible depending on where they are.
Two injections one month apart, then every two months with a visit to the clinic for your next injection.
If 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.
A few side effects could happen but they’re generally minor. The injection can hurt for a few days. Some people get headaches, fever, tiredness, or muscle aches. They tend to go away after a few days. Some people develop high blood pressure or an increase in cholesterol.
Nope. None at all. No planning needed around sex.
It may be more expensive than the generic form of daily Truvada®.
It will depend on your insurance. Without insurance or patient assistance programs, it can cost about $3900/injection (every 2 months).
It can be more private. No pills to remember or carry around.
No need to plan for sex at all. You can be as spontaneous as you want.
Alcohol and other drugs do not affect PrEP. Learn more.
It requires a clinic visit for injections every two months; 6 times 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 low medication 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!
Apretude® stops HIV from reproducing. So, it can’t infect you.
