All about Apretude – the first injectable, long-acting medication to reduce the risk of getting HIV

Updated December 29, 2023

Is injectable PrEP right for your self-care routine? 

On December 20, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Apretude, the first injectable, long-acting medication to reduce the risk of getting HIV. Here’s what you should know about Aperture and how to find out if it’s right for you.

What is Apretude?

Apretude is a new way to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The injectable, also known by its generic name cabotegravir, is an alternative to daily pills for HIV prevention, like Truvada and Descovy.

The new, long-acting form of PrEP must be administered—that is, injected into your buttocks—by a health care provider regularly: once a month for the first two months and then once every other month after that.

Who should take Apretude?

Apretude is approved for adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kilograms) and do not have HIV, but are at risk of getting the virus.

Like the pill forms of PrEP, you must get tested for HIV and confirmed negative before you can start taking Apretude. You also must be tested for HIV and confirmed to be HIV negative before each injection. 

How is Apretude different from PrEP in pill form?

It is important to note that both forms of PrEP—oral and injectable—help prevent HIV if they are taken as prescribed by your health care provider. 

When used as directed as a part of your self-care routine, PrEP is more than 90% effective at preventing HIV.

One of the most significant differences between the pill and injectable is how often you take them. You must take the oral forms of PrEP every day for it to be most effective. In contrast, your health care provider administers the injectable PrEP, Apretude, every other month—or six times per year.   

If I’m already taking PrEP or thinking about starting PrEP, should I consider Apretude?

You may consider taking Apretude if you have taking daily oral PrEP is hard for you. It might also be right for you if you have serious kidney disease that prevents you from taking oral PrEP, or if you prefer getting a shot every other month instead of taking daily pills.

What are the side effects to Apretude?

Like the pill forms of PrEP, Apretude has been deemed safe by the FDA. And like Descovy and Truvada, the new injectable can cause some side effects. 

In clinical trials, some participants who took Apretude reported experiencing common side effects like headaches, fever, fatigue, back pain, muscle aches, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and reactions at the injection site. Side effects usually last only a few days after your injection.

Your health care provider may prescribe Vocabria, an oral form of cabotegravir, the same drug used in Apretude daily for four weeks before starting Apretude to see how well you tolerate the medication.

In most cases, side effects go away over time. However, no matter which form of PrEP you take, you should always talk to your provider if you’re experiencing severe side effects. 

What about side effects if I stop taking PrEP?

With the pill form of PrEP, it takes a few weeks for your body to be completely clear of the medication. This is called the tail period. However, with injectable PrEP, it can take up to a year for the medication to clear your body. During that time (the tail period), the medication doesn’t protect you from HIV infection and you can contract HIV if you’re exposed. It’s important to talk to your health care provider if you decide to stop taking PrEP and to make a plan for preventing HIV.

Does insurance cover Apretude?

Want to start taking PrEP now? PrEP is usually covered by health insurance with no out-of-pocket costs for the medication, lab testing, or medical visits. Right now, health insurers vary in coverage of Apretude. If you’re interested in Apretude, you should contact your health insurance company to learn more. If you don’t have insurance, or if you need help with out-of-pocket costs, learn about programs to help with the cost.