New data further shows an injectable antiretroviral for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and highly effective in reducing HIV risk cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men.
At the 23rd International AIDS Conference researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) released data comparing rates of HIV among trial participants who received the bi-monthly injection, and those who received daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC). While both strategies reduced HIV risk among participants, the injectable strategy was more effective compared to oral PrEP.
The only currently licensed PrEP medications—daily oral pills containing the HIV drugs tenofovir and emtricitabine—are highly effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. However, taking a pill daily can be challenging. A long-acting form of PrEP could offer a less frequent, more discreet option that may be more desirable for some people. HPTN 083 and an ongoing companion study called HPTN 084, which is evaluating long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention in cisgender women in sub-Saharan Africa, are sponsored by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).