How effective is Apretude for PrEP?

Key Points

• Apretude is estimated to be 99% effective at reducing the risk of getting HIV from sex when taken as prescribed.
• It may take a week or longer for Apretude to be effective after getting the first injection.
• Missing injections of Apretude can cause it to work less well to prevent an HIV infection.
• It is not known if Apretude is safe or effective in people younger than 12 years old or who weigh less than 35 kg (77 lbs).

Apretude (cabotegravir) is an injectable medication that may be used in at-risk individuals weighing at least 35 kg (77 lbs) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in order to lower the risk of HIV-1 infection from sex. It is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that works by blocking an HIV protein from inserting HIV DNA into human T cells. This prevents HIV from spreading in your body.

How effective is the injectable PrEP?

When taken as prescribed, PrEP (including Apretude) lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99%. In clinical trials submitted to the FDA for approval, patients taking Apretude had a lower rate of HIV-1 infections compared to patients taking an oral PrEP medication called Truvada.

• Study 1 included 4,566 cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men. People who took Apretude had a 69% lower risk of getting an HIV infection compared to people who took Truvada.
• Study 2 included 3,224 cisgender women. Those taking Apretude had a 90% lower risk of getting an HIV infection compared to those who took Truvada.

Do not miss any Apretude injections because this can raise your risk of getting an HIV-1 infection. If you miss your injection, contact your doctor right away to reschedule.

Related questions

• Apretude vs Cabenuva, what is the difference?
• Which medications help prevent HIV infection?
• Can Descovy be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in HIV?

How long does it take Apretude to work?

It isn’t known how long it takes Apretude to work. However, studies suggest about 50% of people who take Apretude will have protective levels in their blood 1 day after the first injection. Around 95% of people are expected to have protective blood levels 7 days after the first injection.