Apretude® Injection for HIV PrEP

Apretude is a prescription long-acting prevention medicine for HIV-1. It helps reduce the risk of getting HIV when administered on schedule by a clinician. This page explains how it works, who it suits, key safety points, and how you can access it with US shipping from Canada.

What Apretude Is and How It Works

HIV prevention can include long-acting therapies that maintain protective levels between visits. The first in-body dose of Apretude® contains cabotegravir, an integrase strand transfer inhibitor. As a Cabotegravir injection, it is given deep into the gluteal muscle by a healthcare professional. The medicine blocks HIV integrase, which the virus needs to copy itself. Starting and staying on time is essential for consistent protection against HIV exposure. Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

Before each injection, you must test HIV-negative and be evaluated for recent exposures. Some people use a short oral lead-in with cabotegravir tablets to check tolerability before the first shot; your prescriber will decide if that step is right. If you pay cash or are without insurance, this page outlines options to help you compare total access steps and plan ahead.

Who It’s For

This treatment is indicated for at-risk adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1. People who benefit may prefer infrequent clinic visits over daily oral PrEP. One exact label requirement is that you are HIV-negative at initiation and at prescribed intervals thereafter.

Apretude for PrEP is not for individuals with known hypersensitivity to cabotegravir. It is also not approved to treat HIV infection. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, discuss potential risks and benefits with your clinician before starting.

Dosage and Usage

Your prescriber will follow the approved schedule. Many patients begin with an optional oral cabotegravir lead-in. The first injection is given on Day 1, followed by a second injection one month later. After that, maintenance injections are given every two months. Each visit includes an HIV test, a review of recent exposures, and counseling about ongoing prevention.

Apretude dosing must be administered by a trained healthcare professional as an intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle only. Do not inject into a vein or thigh. Remain in the clinic as directed after your shot so staff can observe for immediate reactions. If needed, your prescriber may recommend bridging with oral cabotegravir during planned gaps.

Daily prevention behaviors still matter. Condom use, periodic screening for other sexually transmitted infections, and adherence to clinic visits support overall protection. For guidance between visits, your clinician remains the best source and will refer you to the official label when needed.

Strengths and Forms

This medicine is supplied as a single-dose vial of extended-release intramuscular suspension for clinic use. Availability may vary by lot and market.

• Apretude 600 mg injection single-dose vial for intramuscular use
• Vial concentration: 200 mg/mL injectable suspension

Your pharmacy and clinic will coordinate administration supplies, preparation steps, and clinical handling.

Missed Dose and Timing

Try to keep all appointments within the target window set by your prescriber. If you anticipate a delay, contact the clinic as soon as possible to discuss options. If you miss an Apretude shot, your clinician may re-establish the schedule or use oral cabotegravir to bridge until the next injection. Do not attempt self-injection or alter timing on your own.

Storage and Travel Basics

Vials are stored and handled by pharmacies and clinics under labeled conditions. Keep the product in its original packaging until preparation. Protect from extreme temperatures and light, and do not freeze. For travel, arrange your appointment before leaving or coordinate a receiving clinic at your destination. If you will personally transport a vial between a pharmacy and clinic, use the packaging provided and follow the label and clinic instructions carefully.

Plan documentation for travel, including a copy of the prescription and clinic appointment details. Keep medicines out of reach of children and pets. We support secure fulfilment with temperature-controlled handling when required.

Benefits

Long-acting PrEP can reduce the daily task burden associated with pills. The injection schedule, once established, may fit well with regular sexual health visits. Many people appreciate the steady drug levels achieved with extended-release cabotegravir when administered on time. Clinic visits also provide opportunities for testing, prevention counseling, and support.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection site reactions: pain, redness, swelling, firmness, or itching
• General symptoms: headache, fever or chills, fatigue, muscle or joint aches
• Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting
• Sleep or mood changes
• Rash or hypersensitivity symptoms

Serious reactions can include hypersensitivity, liver problems, or depressive symptoms. Seek urgent care for rash with fever, severe tiredness, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes, or thoughts of self-harm. Because cabotegravir persists in the body for months, missing doses can lead to prolonged “tail” levels. If HIV infection occurs during that time, resistant virus may emerge. Regular HIV testing, timely injections, and prompt follow-up on symptoms are essential.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Cabotegravir is metabolized by UGT1A1. Strong enzyme inducers can reduce its levels and effectiveness. Examples include rifampin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and oxcarbazepine. Always tell your prescriber about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you use. Alcohol and substances that affect judgment may increase risk-taking; consider counseling on safer sex practices.

Use caution if you have a history of liver disease, depression, or allergic reactions to similar medicines. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding plans with your healthcare professional. Before each injection, HIV testing is required, and additional testing may be advised if you had recent exposures.

Learn more about screening in our guides to HIV Tests, Get HIV, and Testing Day.

What to Expect Over Time

During the first months, you and your clinician will set a sustainable visit rhythm. Most injection site reactions are mild to moderate and improve within a few days. As you continue, you can expect ongoing HIV testing, STI screening as appropriate, and prevention counseling. If your circumstances change, your prescriber may discuss switching to or from oral PrEP, or using oral cabotegravir to bridge around travel.

Consistency is key to getting the most from long-acting prevention. Use calendar reminders, clinic scheduling tools, and text prompts if offered. If you’re curious about treatment options for HIV infection, you can read background pieces like Biktarvy Guide and Aptivus Guide. These resources are for education and are not substitutes for your prescriber’s advice.

Compare With Alternatives

Approved oral PrEP options include emtricitabine/tenofovir-based regimens. These daily tablets provide effective prevention when taken as directed, and they may suit people who prefer pill-based approaches or do not have reliable access to clinic injections. Your clinician can help you weigh oral PrEP against long-acting cabotegravir based on your needs, risk patterns, and access to follow-up.

If you want to learn about HIV treatment medicines used after infection is diagnosed, see product pages like Delstrigo® and Kaletra® for background. These are not substitutes for PrEP and are mentioned for general understanding only.

Pricing and Access

We provide transparent information so you can compare options and plan clinic visits alongside medication access. If you are exploring the Apretude cost for self-pay, start by reviewing current pricing on this page. You can then coordinate with your prescriber’s office about injection scheduling.

Border Free Health supports Canada sourcing with Antivirals available for US delivery from Canada. If you’re looking for seasonal offers, you can check Promotions for updates. Final costs may include clinic administration fees, which are separate from pharmacy pricing.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply may vary. If the specific presentation you need is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a timing adjustment or discuss bridging with oral cabotegravir until the next injection can be given. There is currently no approved generic cabotegravir for PrEP in the United States. For condition browsing, explore our HIV category for related options.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This medicine may be a good fit if you prefer clinic-based prevention and can keep scheduled visits. It may not suit those unable to return for injections on time, those with significant drug interaction risks, or anyone who cannot confirm HIV-negative status before each dose.

• Plan refills early: coordinate pharmacy and clinic calendars
• Bundle visits: combine testing and injections in one appointment
• Travel plans: discuss bridging strategies ahead of trips
• Multi-month planning: map out several injections in advance
• Reminders: use phone alerts or clinic texts to stay on track

If you move or change clinics, ask for a transfer plan that maintains your schedule. If costs are a concern, talk with the prescriber’s office about administration fees and set expectations for timing, paperwork, and any financial assistance they know.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Am I a good candidate for long-acting PrEP?
• Should I use an oral lead-in before my first injection?
• How will we handle missed or delayed appointments?
• What testing schedule will we follow throughout the year?
• Do any of my medicines interact with cabotegravir?
• What should I do if I have symptoms after an exposure?
• How will we plan dosing around travel or relocation?

Authoritative Sources

See the official product information and labeling for full details:

• ViiV Healthcare
• FDA DailyMed
• Health Canada DPD

Start your order when you’re ready; we support prompt, express shipping and clinic coordination. This page is informational and does not replace your prescriber’s guidance.