Apretude in Thailand: First Injectable Option for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Approved by the US FDA

Scared of needles? You might have to get over that fear because Apretude, the first injectable option for HIV PrEP, is finally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just this 20 December 2021.

Apretude, an extended-release formulation of cabotegravir, is said to be more effective in preventing HIV compared to taking daily PrEP pills according to two major studies. This revelation will have a big impact on the sexual health of all communities.

Quick, easy, and convenient for everyone

Instead of taking PrEP every day, you can have a health worker administer Apretude to you every two months. You just have to set an appointment and get your protection against HIV in a few minutes.

Apretude is US FDA approved for adults and teenagers weighing a minimum of 35 kg. Regardless of whether you are cis-gendered or transgendered, the medicine has no limitation on the type of sex that you have.

This is noteworthy because PrEP pills have limitations. For example, on-demand pills are only effective against risk through anal sex for cisgender males. There are also brands like Descovy that are not applicable for cisgender females due to a lack of research and study.

However, with Apretude, it is said to be 92% more effective in lowering the risk of getting HIV than daily pills. This is the highest efficacy of PrEP amongst women as told by the scientists.

Guaranteed safe and effective

This ground-breaking news will be helpful to those who don’t have access to daily medications or those that often forget to take the pills, but how does it work?

1. The health worker will do an HIV test to check if you do not have HIV first.
2. Once cleared, people can start with two once-a-month injections or a month of cabotegravir pills first– depending on the assessment of the health worker. Jabs are given in the buttocks.
3. After the first two months, people can now transition to once every two months injections.
4. That’s it! You have strong protection against HIV!

There is a 7-day window period before or after your dose appointment. If you miss by a week, the clinician can give you daily cabotegravir pills for up to two months as a substitute before you can resume again.

Side Effects of Apretude when I get Apretude in Thailand

Like other jabs, there can be redness or swelling on the jab site as a reaction. However, this lasts only for a few days.

A Game-Changing Solution to End the HIV Epidemic

There can be many reasons why daily pills can be complicated for some people. Others lose it or forget to take them, while there are people who are embarrassed to disclose the medication.

"This [complication] can include stigma, fears about accidental disclosure of their medicine, as well as general complications from daily living. Together, these issues may contribute to low rates of PrEP usage and the expansion of the HIV epidemic,” shared TruEvolution CEO and executive director, Gabriel Maldonado.

That’s why Apretude may just be the newest solution to fight against HIV. These safe and convenient injections can help people live a healthier sexual lifestyle without being ashamed of who they are and what they do– all it takes is six injections a year.

What do you think about Apretude? Will you take it once it's available here in Asia? Let us know your thoughts!

Important Notes about Apretude

1. Apretude is only for those who do not have HIV
2. Patients who test positive while using Apretude should immediately transition to a complete HIV treatment
3. Apretude is approved only in the United States so far

Learn more: Injectable HIV PrEP delivers better results than oral PrEP 

References:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02720094
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2101016
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03164564
https://www.poz.com/article/injectable-prep-much-effective-daily-truvada-recent-trial-1
https://viivhealthcare.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/2020/may/global-hiv-prevention-study-to-stop-early-after-viiv-healthcares/