Apretude® Injection for HIV PrEP

This long-acting cabotegravir injection helps reduce the risk of HIV through pre-exposure prophylaxis. This page explains what it is, how dosing works, and how to access it with US shipping from Canada. You will also find plain guidance on access and paying without insurance.

What Apretude® Is and How It Works

Apretude for PrEP is a long-acting HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis option. It contains cabotegravir, an integrase strand transfer inhibitor. The medicine works by blocking the HIV integrase enzyme, which the virus needs to insert its genetic material into human cells. It is given as an intramuscular injection in a clinic or prescriber’s office.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing.

The injection reaches sustained levels in muscle tissue, then slowly releases cabotegravir into the bloodstream. This creates consistent exposure over weeks, supporting adherence for people who prefer not to take daily pills. Your prescriber will confirm you are HIV-negative before starting and before each dose because preventive therapy must not be used when HIV-1 infection is present.

Who It’s For

This preventive option is for adults and eligible adolescents at risk of acquiring HIV-1 through sex. It may be considered for people who have difficulty taking a daily oral PrEP medicine, or who prefer a clinic-administered schedule. Cabotegravir for PrEP is not used to treat established HIV infection.

People who should not receive this medicine include those with known hypersensitivity to cabotegravir or any component of the formulation. Tell your prescriber about liver disease, depression history, or pregnancy and breastfeeding plans. Regular HIV testing and risk-reduction counseling remain important parts of PrEP care.

For background on HIV and treatment categories, see our HIV condition page and Antivirals category.

Dosage and Usage

Your prescriber sets the schedule using the official label. Many people start with an optional oral lead-in of cabotegravir tablets to check tolerability. The injection series begins with two initiation doses one month apart, followed by maintenance doses every two months. The medicine is injected into the gluteal muscle by a healthcare professional. Do not self-inject.

Each visit typically includes an HIV test to confirm you remain negative before receiving the next dose. Continue safer-sex practices and any other risk-reduction measures discussed with your prescriber. If you need to adjust an appointment, contact the clinic promptly to maintain the planned schedule for cabotegravir injection.

Learn more about HIV therapies in context with our article Delstrigo Facts and the Genvoya Guide.

Strengths and Forms

The extended-release injectable suspension is supplied in single-dose vials. A commonly used presentation is Apretude 600 mg/3 mL. Packaging and availability may vary by market and over time.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss an injection appointment, contact your prescriber as soon as possible. There are label-recommended windows for giving doses late, and options to bridge with tablets if needed. Do not attempt to administer the injection yourself. Keeping appointments helps maintain protective drug levels.

Storage and Travel Basics

Your clinic typically stores and prepares the injection. If you are asked to hold the vial temporarily, keep it in the original carton, protected from light, and follow any written instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. Store out of reach of children and pets. For travel, bring your appointment details, prescription information, and allow extra time for clinic check-in.

When medicines need special handling, we use temperature-controlled handling when required. Always follow the directions on the label and the guidance from your healthcare professional for transport and storage.

Benefits

This preventive therapy offers a nondaily option that may fit busy routines. Two-month maintenance visits can help with consistent adherence and regular check-ins with your care team. Many people appreciate not managing a daily pill and prefer scheduling clinic visits to match life events, travel, or work cycles.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection-site reactions: pain, swelling, induration, warmth, or nodules
• Headache or fever
• Fatigue or back pain
• Nausea

Serious but less common risks include hypersensitivity reactions, liver problems, and depressive disorders. Contact a prescriber urgently for widespread rash, significant mood changes, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe abdominal pain. Starting or continuing PrEP when undiagnosed HIV-1 infection is present can lead to resistance; regular testing is required.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Strong enzyme inducers can lower cabotegravir levels and reduce effectiveness. Examples include rifampin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and oxcarbazepine. St. John’s wort may also decrease exposure. Provide a full list of prescriptions, OTC medicines, vitamins, and herbal products to your prescriber. Do not start, stop, or replace therapies without medical guidance.

Discuss pregnancy planning and breastfeeding. Cabotegravir has a long half-life; changes in protection persist after the last dose. Your clinician will consider timing, contraception, and testing as part of ongoing care. For general interaction principles, see our guide to Drug Interactions.

What to Expect Over Time

You will return for regular HIV testing and injections. Injection-site reactions are common early on and may lessen with continued use. Your prescriber may suggest alternating sides to reduce discomfort. Keep all scheduled visits to maintain protective exposure. If your risk changes, talk with your healthcare professional about continuing, pausing, or switching preventive strategies.

Compare With Alternatives

Oral PrEP is an effective alternative for many people. Daily emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is widely used and may be appropriate if you prefer a tablet. Another option is Descovy for specific populations, taken once daily by mouth. Choice depends on risk factors, kidney and bone health, adherence preferences, and access.

For broader context on prevention and care, you can also read our community update on HIV Testing Day.

Pricing and Access

We make it simple to compare options and see current pharmacy pricing for clinic-filled injections. If you are self-pay, our team can help you review payment choices and paperwork. Ask your prescriber to send a valid prescription, then we coordinate with your clinic to prepare the dose and arrange delivery to the site of care. Ships from Canada to US for eligible orders.

If you are comparing options, ask about the Apretude injection price and whether manufacturer support or third-party programs apply in your area. Some people also look at cash-pay resources or clinic billing pathways to manage out-of-pocket costs without insurance. Encrypted checkout protects your information during payment.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by distributor and clinic demand. We work with your prescriber when stock is constrained to plan the next steps. Ask our team or your clinician about Apretude availability and potential formulary alternatives if needed. We do not guarantee timelines or restock dates.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates are people at ongoing risk of HIV-1 who prefer a nondaily schedule and can keep clinic visits every two months. It may not be right for individuals who cannot return for injections, who use interacting medicines, or who cannot complete regular HIV testing. Your prescriber will review eligibility and monitoring based on the official label.

• Plan visits ahead: book the next two appointments before leaving the clinic
• Bundle care: align injections with other routine checkups when possible
• Multi-month coordination: your clinic may schedule pairs of visits to reduce trips
• Refill reminders: set calendar alerts or use clinic reminder tools
• Travel prep: discuss timing early if you will be away during a target window

If you switch strategies or stop the treatment, talk with your clinician about coverage after the last injection and whether an oral bridge is appropriate. For dosing discussions with your provider, you can ask about the Apretude dosage schedule on the current label and whether an oral lead-in is advised for you.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Initial testing plan: what lab work is needed before starting PrEP?
• Dosing windows: how flexible are the initiation and maintenance dates?
• Oral lead-in: is a tablet trial recommended for tolerability?
• Side-effect support: how do we manage injection-site reactions?
• Interactions: do any of my medicines or supplements reduce protection?
• Pregnancy planning: how should timing and contraception be handled?
• Exit strategy: if I stop injections, what bridge or follow-up is needed?

Authoritative Sources

ViiV Healthcare

FDA DailyMed

Health Canada DPD

Ready to coordinate care through YouDrugstore with US delivery from Canada? Place your prescription request today for prompt, express, cold-chain shipping and temperature-controlled handling when required. This page is informational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional.