Long-acting injectable PrEP: new and easier ways to prevent HIV

October 5, 2024:

By Oli McAuslan, 15 mins ago in Health / Sexual health

close-up-ghanian-man-with-injection-bandaid

Long-acting injectable PrEP is a new and exciting HIV prevention medication that could be coming to Australia in the next few years.

If it becomes available, it will add another option for gay and bi+ guys to protect themselves from HIV. Long-acting injections may also be an easier and more effective way to take PrEP.

So, what do you guys think of it? PrEP users in Australia said they would prefer having injectable PrEP over pills, given the chance. Let’s update you on where we’re at with long-acting injectable PrEP and see what might come of these advances.

What is long-acting injectable PrEP?

Long-acting injectable PrEP is an HIV prevention medication that is injected into your body instead of swallowing pills. It provides effective HIV protection for a much longer period — in some cases, as long as 6 months!

There are a couple of options for long-acting PrEP in development, including injections and implants. Currently, Cabotegravir – an injectable PrEP that provides two months of protection against HIV – is growing in popularity in other parts of the world. But it’s not available in Australia.

While we wait for injectable PrEP, injectable HIV treatment for people living with HIV is available now.

What’s the difference between oral PrEP vs long-acting injectable PrEP?

Oral PrEP involves using pills that help protect you from getting HIV. Gay and bi+ guys can take oral PrEP in one of three approved ways: daily, on-demand or periodic PrEP.

split-image-ghanian-man-with-injection-hand-holding-PrEP

The main difference between oral PrEP and injectable PrEP is how often you need to take it. Injectable PrEP is ‘long-acting’, meaning it will provide continuous protection for a period of time — up to 6 months. Which means no more pills to swallow! Long-acting injectables can also be administered by a doctor in private, which is good for people wanting to remain discreet about their PrEP use.

PrEP injection Lenacapavir shows extremely promising results in new study

A groundbreaking trial of a 6-monthly injectable PrEP known as Lenacapavir by pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has shown remarkable results. The PURPOSE 1 Study enrolled over 2,000 young women in Africa, with zero new HIV infections among the participants who were given this new form of injectable PrEP. It’s rare that any new drug has such a high rate of success.

A second trial of Lenacapavir is underway in the PURPOSE 2 Study. It involves more than 3,200 cisgender and transgender men, trans women and nonbinary people who have sex with men in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and Thailand. The interim results support that Lenacapavir is a safe and highly effective option for taking PrEP.

As with most medications, Lenacapavir may have minor side effects and possibly interact with other medications. We’ll know more once it’s reviewed by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).

What remains clear is that the outstanding trial results will likely pressure the manufacturer of this drug to make it affordable and widely available.

The future of HIV treatment and prevention

The way we take PrEP may be changing for the better. Long-acting injections are another option we will hopefully be adding to our HIV prevention toolkit. Much like a flu or COVID booster, PrEP could become a regular injection, much easier to manage than having to remember to take pills.

The news is exciting, and we hope that these innovative medications will be made available and affordable to gay and bi+ guys across Australia soon. Follow Emen8 for the latest news in sexual health across Australia.

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