Apretude PrEP injections in NYC and Long Island

Apretude is long-acting cabotegravir used to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV-1 through sex. It is for people who do not have HIV. A healthcare professional gives the injection into a gluteal muscle. It can reduce the burden of taking a daily pill, but it replaces that routine with scheduled injections and HIV testing. It does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy. Choosing it means planning both the first visits and what to do if travel, insurance or illness disrupts a later appointment.

The US indication includes adults and adolescents who weigh at least 35 kg and are at risk of sexually acquired HIV. A clinician must confirm HIV-negative status and assess recent exposure and symptoms of acute HIV. Fever, rash, sore throat or swollen glands after a possible exposure need assessment even if a rapid test is negative. Apretude is not an adequate HIV treatment regimen. Relevant allergies, liver disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, mental-health history and interacting medicines affect the discussion.

Discuss exposure, previous PrEP, adherence, injection preferences and ability to return. If possible HIV exposure occurred within the last 72 hours, seek urgent PEP assessment instead of waiting for a routine PrEP visit.

The plan includes an HIV antigen/antibody test and HIV RNA testing before injections. A negative antigen/antibody result requires RNA confirmation, even when the RNA result returns after an injection. Unclear or discordant results require clinical review before proceeding.

An oral cabotegravir lead-in may be offered to assess tolerability; it is optional. The first two injections are one month apart, followed by an injection every two months. Your team sets the target dates and explains the permitted appointment window.

Agree on STI screening, symptom contact, reminders and an alternative PrEP plan if injections stop. Bring up anticipated travel before a dose becomes overdue.

No. The oral lead-in is optional. Your clinician can discuss tolerability assessment and direct-to-injection initiation. Continue your current prevention plan until the clinician gives a specific transition plan.

Continuing visits assess HIV status, exposure, adverse effects and STI prevention. Contact the prescribing team as soon as an appointment may be missed. Planned and unplanned delays have different label pathways; the team may prescribe oral coverage or change the restart schedule. After stopping, CDC recommends continuing HIV antigen/antibody and RNA testing every three months for 12 months. Another effective prevention method may be needed before protection wanes.

Discuss exposure, previous PrEP, adherence, injection preferences and ability to return. If possible HIV exposure occurred within the last 72 hours, seek urgent PEP assessment instead of waiting for a routine PrEP visit.

The plan includes an HIV antigen/antibody test and HIV RNA testing before injections. A negative antigen/antibody result requires RNA confirmation, even when the RNA result returns after an injection. Unclear or discordant results require clinical review before proceeding.

An oral cabotegravir lead-in may be offered to assess tolerability; it is optional. The first two injections are one month apart, followed by an injection every two months. Your team sets the target dates and explains the permitted appointment window.

Agree on STI screening, symptom contact, reminders and an alternative PrEP plan if injections stop. Bring up anticipated travel before a dose becomes overdue.

A PrEP switch needs a dated plan based on the current product, last dose, HIV tests, recent exposure and new product's start requirements. Apretude begins with two injections one month apart before every-two-month continuation. Yeztugo has required initiation tablets and a different injection calendar. Do not stop the current prevention regimen or assume immediate protection while arranging the change. The PrEP clinician should state any temporary prevention or oral coverage and confirm the new administration site.

Cabotegravir can remain detectable for 12 months or longer after the last Apretude injection. That long tail does not mean protection remains adequate for that whole time. Falling levels can permit HIV acquisition and resistance. If ongoing exposure is expected after stopping, the CDC plan includes alternative effective prevention within eight weeks of the last injection and continued HIV follow-up, generally quarterly for 12 months. Contact the PrEP prescriber before stopping or missing a dose.

Have your insurance card ready when booking. Share member details through the clinic’s confirmed secure intake process. Check with the clinic and your insurer that the exact plan covers the clinician and requested service. Ask about visit charges, any separately billed tests or medicines, and any referral or authorization requirement. Coverage and your copay or deductible depend on the plan; request a written estimate if paying yourself.

Contact your prescribing team promptly with the last injection date and the planned next date. Do not assume residual medicine guarantees protection. The appropriate oral bridge or restart depends on the actual delay and HIV assessment.

Discuss injection pain, prior reactions and your work demands before the visit. Some people have soreness that affects sitting or activity. There is no universal amount of time off work; arrange a practical plan and report severe or worsening symptoms.

Apretude is approved for sexual HIV prevention in HIV-negative adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg, including women. The label reports fewer infections than daily Truvada in both major studies. After retrospective endpoint review, HPTN 083 showed a 69% relative reduction versus Truvada and HPTN 084, conducted in cisgender women, showed a 90% relative reduction. These are comparisons between study groups, not 69% or 90% absolute protection or a guarantee for one person. Keep required HIV testing and injection dates. Pregnancy and breastfeeding need a separate individual discussion. Apretude does not prevent other STIs.

CDC says there are no available data to give a precise time for injectable cabotegravir to reach maximal protection. Do not assume a first injection creates immediate complete protection or borrow a pill-start timetable. The prescriber sets a prevention plan for your exposures and any switch from oral PrEP. The first two injections are one month apart, followed by injections every two months. Oral cabotegravir lead-in is optional and does not replace the product’s HIV assessment or appointment plan. A possible qualifying exposure within 72 hours needs urgent PEP assessment.