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Who Apretude is approved for
The FDA indication covers adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg who are at risk of sexually acquired HIV-1. HIV-negative status must be confirmed before treatment and each injection.
Apretude PrEP injections in NYC and Long Island
Long-acting cabotegravir PrEP for people who prefer an injection schedule instead of taking a pill every day.
Nao Medical coordinates candidacy review, HIV testing, coverage, injection visits, and the return schedule across participating New York locations.
Apretude PrEP
Long-acting cabotegravir PrEP for people who prefer an injection schedule instead of taking a pill every day.
Every Apretude injection requires current HIV testing
HIV-negative status must be confirmed before the first injection and before each later injection. When an antigen/antibody test is negative, the FDA label calls for confirmation with an HIV-1 RNA assay. Tell the clinician about recent exposures, symptoms, and any missed PrEP doses so the correct tests can be selected. Using Apretude with undiagnosed HIV can lead to drug resistance.
Key clinical guidance
These points affect medication safety, test timing, or follow-up. The linked primary guidance supports each summary.
The medication tail after stopping
For continuing exposure risk, another PrEP method should start within eight weeks. CDC recommends quarterly antigen/antibody and HIV-1 RNA testing for 12 months after the final injection.
The essentials at a glance
Every two months
After two initiation injections one month apart, maintenance injections are given every two months.
Provider-administered
Apretude is a long-acting intramuscular injection given in the gluteal muscle by a healthcare professional.
Optional oral lead-in
Some patients may use oral cabotegravir first, but the oral lead-in is optional under the FDA label.
What to expect from care
The exact plan depends on your history, test results, coverage, and medication choice. These are the usual steps.
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PrEP consultation
Review recent exposures, symptoms, prior PrEP or PEP, medications, and whether regular injection visits are realistic.
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HIV and baseline testing
Complete blood-based HIV testing and other screening selected for your history before the first dose.
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Coverage review
Confirm medication coverage, prior authorization, administration benefits, and available ViiVConnect support.
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Initiation injections
Receive the first injection, then return one month later for the second initiation injection.
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Maintenance visits
Return every two months for HIV testing, medication review, the injection, and the next scheduled date.
Who may want to discuss Apretude
Apretude can be a practical option for someone who wants long-acting PrEP but does not want a daily pill. It can also help when pill storage, privacy, travel, or daily adherence is difficult.
The schedule still requires reliable return visits. A clinician will confirm that Apretude matches the approved indication, review possible drug interactions, and plan what to do if an injection is delayed or stopped.
Apretude is FDA approved for adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg who are at risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 and have a confirmed negative HIV test. It is not used with unknown or positive HIV status, a previous cabotegravir hypersensitivity reaction, or certain interacting medicines.
- You prefer an injection over a daily PrEP pill.
- You can return after one month and then every two months.
- You are comfortable with a gluteal intramuscular injection.
- You want the care team to manage testing and dosing dates together.
Injection reactions, missed doses, and the long medication tail
Pain, tenderness, hardening, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, warmth, and nodules can occur at the injection site. Most reactions improve, but severe or worsening symptoms should be reviewed.
Cabotegravir can remain in the body for a year or longer after injections stop. If Apretude is discontinued and HIV exposure may continue, another PrEP method should start within two months, or eight weeks, of the final injection. CDC recommends antigen/antibody and HIV-1 RNA testing every three months for 12 months after stopping.
Rare but serious reactions are described in the FDA label, including severe hypersensitivity reactions, liver problems, and depressive disorders. Seek urgent care for a severe rash with blisters or mouth sores, facial swelling, trouble breathing, or thoughts of self-harm. Contact the care team promptly for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or major mood changes.
Apretude is contraindicated with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, and rifapentine. Pregnancy requires an individual benefit-risk discussion. During breastfeeding, the clinician should consider potential infant exposure and the medication's 12-month-or-longer tail.
- Book the next injection before leaving each visit.
- Contact the team before travel or a scheduling conflict.
- Do not assume a late injection still provides the same protection.
- Discuss an alternative PrEP plan before stopping Apretude.
- Keep quarterly HIV antigen/antibody and RNA testing for one year after the final injection.
Insurance and ViiVConnect support
The office visit, HIV testing, Apretude medication, and injection administration can process under separate benefits. Some plans require prior authorization or a specific pharmacy or administration site.
Nao Medical can help collect the clinical information needed for coverage review. ViiVConnect provides official coverage and savings support for eligible patients. Eligibility and program terms can change, so confirm current details directly.
- Bring medical and pharmacy insurance cards.
- Share prior Apretude approvals or denial letters.
- Ask about medication and administration costs separately.
- Confirm the participating location before the injection date.
Find a clinic for Apretude care coordination
Use a clinic page for directions and local details, then confirm medication access, administration availability, testing, and appointment timing through the Apretude booking path.
Bronx
174th Street
932 E 174th St, Bronx, NY 10460
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Queens
Astoria
37-15 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Bronx
Bartow Mall
2063A Bartow Ave, Bronx, NY 10475
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Brooklyn
Crown Heights
341 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Long Island
Hicksville
232 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Queens
Jackson Heights
80-10 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Queens
Jamaica
90-18 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Queens
Long Island City
30-07 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Long Island
Mineola
135 Mineola Blvd, Mineola, NY 11501
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Manhattan
StuyTown
259 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Brooklyn
Williamsburg
308 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Start an Apretude evaluation and care-coordination pathway here. The team confirms medication access and administration timing before an injection visit.
Compare HIV prevention and testing options
The right option depends on whether the need is urgent after an exposure, ongoing prevention, or testing.
| Care option | Typical schedule | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Apretude | Gluteal injection monthly for the first two doses, then every two months | No daily pill; regular injection visits and HIV testing are essential |
| Yeztugo | Two subcutaneous injections every six months after starter dosing | Longer interval; different injection-site reactions and access path |
| Oral PrEP | One pill each day for standard daily PrEP | No injection; prescription and laboratory follow-up continue |
Questions patients ask
The standard schedule is a first injection, a second injection one month later, and then one injection every two months. Your clinician gives you a target date and approved dosing window.
No. The oral lead-in is optional. It may be used when the clinician and patient want to assess tolerability before the first long-acting injection.
A healthcare professional gives Apretude as an intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle. It is not a self-injection.
HIV testing is required before starting and before every later injection. The clinician may also recommend STI screening and other tests based on your history and symptoms.
Contact the care team as soon as possible. The plan depends on how late the injection is and may include oral PrEP coverage, rescheduling within the approved window, or restarting the initiation schedule.
A switch may be possible, but testing and dose timing must be planned. Do not stop the current method before a clinician gives you a transition plan.
Cabotegravir can remain detectable for a year or longer after the last injection. If exposure risk continues, start another PrEP method within eight weeks. CDC recommends antigen/antibody and HIV-1 RNA testing every three months for 12 months after stopping.
Coverage varies and may involve prior authorization, medical-benefit review, or a specific administration site. Nao Medical and ViiVConnect can help eligible patients understand the access path.
Sources and update date
Clinical facts in this overview were checked against the following primary guidance and prescribing information.
- FDA Apretude prescribing information
- CDC clinical guidance for PrEP
- NYC Health PrEP guidance
- ViiVConnect patient support
Published by Nao Medical.
Updated August 1, 2026. This information is not a substitute for an individual medical evaluation. A licensed clinician determines medication eligibility, testing, dosing, and follow-up. Contact Nao Medical with a question or correction.
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Book an Apretude consultationHealth information notice
General information only. This page is not medical advice and does not replace diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a licensed clinician.
Content was updated August 1, 2026 from the sources cited on this page. Medical guidance, prescribing information, medication availability, and insurance rules can change. A licensed clinician must confirm current information and determine each patient's eligibility, testing, treatment, administration setting, and follow-up. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Contact Nao Medical with a question or correction.