All about injectable PrEP

Updated December 9, 2025

There are two kinds of injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that can help you reduce the risk of getting HIV—Apretude® and Yeztugo®. Both these injectable medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Injectable PrEP is an alternative to PrEP pills like Truvada and Descovy. Injectable PrEP is injected into the muscle your buttocks by a health care provider. 

If you’re using Apretude®, you get two injections one month apart and then you receive an injection every other month. Yeztugo® starts with a dose of pills and then an injection every six months, or twice a year. At this time, Yeztugo® is not available everywhere and may not always be covered by insurance.  

How is injectable PrEP different from PrEP in pill form?

It is important to note that both forms of PrEP—pills and injectables—help prevent HIV if they are taken as directed by a provider. When used as directed, PrEP is more than 90% effective at preventing HIV. 

One of the biggest differences between the pill and injectables is how often you take them. You must take the pill forms of PrEP every day for it to be most effective. Injectables are given much less frequently—every two or six months, depending on the type of medication.    

Who should consider injectable PrEP?

Injectable PrEP 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 be negative before you can have any injectable treatment.  

You may consider taking injectable PrEP if taking a pill every day would be hard for you. An injectable might also be right for you if you have serious kidney disease that prevents you from taking PrEP in pill form. 

Does insurance cover PrEP?

PrEP is usually covered by health insurance with no out-of-pocket costs for medication, lab testing, or medical visits. But some forms of PrEP, like Yeztugo ®, may not be widely available and may not be covered by insurance. 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 that can help. 

What are the side effects of injectable PrEP?

Like the pill forms of PrEP, injectable medications are safe and effective but can cause some side effects. You could experience common side effects like headaches, nausea, fever, fatigue, back pain, muscle aches, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort at the injection site. Side effects usually last only a few days after your injection. 

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 the tail period, you won’t be protected from HIV infection and you can contract HIV if you’re exposed. It’s important to talk to a provider if you decide to stop taking PrEP so you can make another plan for preventing HIV.