Apretude® Injectable Suspension for HIV PrEP

This long-acting cabotegravir injection helps reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV when used as prescribed. It is given by a healthcare professional on a set schedule. This page explains how it works, who it suits, and how you can access it with US shipping from Canada, even if paying without insurance.

What Apretude® Is and How It Works

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

This medicine is an extended-release intramuscular therapy containing cabotegravir, an integrase inhibitor. It prevents HIV from integrating its genetic material into human immune cells. That action helps stop new infections from taking hold when exposure occurs.

It is designed for clinic administration only. The treatment uses a depot approach, releasing cabotegravir slowly over weeks. Apretude long-acting IM injection supports adherence by replacing daily pills with a predictable visit cadence. Patients still need regular HIV testing and safer sex practices as guided by their clinician.

For additional background on testing, see Types Of Hiv Tests and learn more about the condition at our HIV hub.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated for adults and adolescents at risk of sexually acquired HIV. It is suitable for people who prefer an injection-based prevention plan. Apretude injection for PrEP is not for individuals with known or suspected HIV infection. HIV testing is required before starting and before each dose.

People with prior hypersensitivity to cabotegravir should not receive this medicine. Those with liver disease, depression, or a history of injection-site issues should discuss risks and monitoring with a healthcare professional.

Dosage and Usage

Administration occurs in a clinic by a trained professional as a deep intramuscular gluteal injection. Standard initiation includes two starting injections given one month apart, followed by maintenance injections every two months. An optional oral lead-in with cabotegravir tablets may be used to assess tolerability before the first shot; your prescriber decides whether that step is appropriate.

Visits typically include an HIV test, a review of side effects, and counseling about ongoing risk reduction. The clinician will prepare and inject the full vial content into the upper outer quadrant of the gluteal muscle. Do not self-inject. Follow the official prescribing information for timing windows and clinic procedures.

Discuss any planned travel well ahead of time so appointments can be scheduled within the allowable window. If a visit will be missed, the prescriber may consider short-term oral cabotegravir to bridge coverage, per labeling.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as a single-dose vial of cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension. Cabotegravir injectable suspension 600 mg is the commonly used presentation for initiation and maintenance doses. Availability can vary by pharmacy and manufacturer lot. Your prescriber will specify the appropriate presentation.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a clinic visit is missed or delayed, contact the prescriber as soon as possible. There are label-defined windows to receive the next injection without restarting. If the delay will be longer, the prescriber may use an oral regimen temporarily. Do not attempt to adjust timing without professional guidance.

Storage and Travel Basics

Vials are handled by pharmacies and clinics under labeled conditions. Patients typically do not store vials at home. If you are asked to bring a vial to an appointment, follow the pharmacy’s instructions closely, keep the carton intact, and avoid freezing or excessive heat. When traveling, carry documentation and keep the medicine in its original packaging until your visit. Our network follows temperature-controlled handling when required.

Plan travel around scheduled visits when possible. If you must be away, notify the clinic early so they can arrange care at another site or adjust within the permitted window.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This treatment is clinic-administered from a single-dose vial. There is no pen device and no home sharps disposal. The clinic manages all preparation and disposal according to medical standards.

Benefits

This class provides reliable, long-acting exposure prevention without daily pills. The maintenance schedule every two months can support adherence and privacy. Clinic-based dosing ensures professional oversight, including HIV testing and safety checks. The treatment may be a good fit for people who prefer appointment-based prevention.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection-site pain or swelling
• Redness or hardness at the injection site
• Headache or fever
• Fatigue or dizziness
• Nausea or diarrhea
• Back pain or myalgia
• Rash or hypersensitivity symptoms

Serious reactions can include severe hypersensitivity, liver problems, and depressive disorders. If HIV infection occurs while on cabotegravir, resistance may develop; ongoing testing is essential. Discuss any mood changes, signs of hepatitis, or persistent swelling with a healthcare professional immediately. For more on HIV prevention context, you can also read How Can You Get Hiv.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Strong enzyme inducers can lower cabotegravir levels and reduce effectiveness. Examples include certain anticonvulsants and rifamycin antibiotics. Always review all medicines, supplements, and herbal products with the prescriber. Alcohol misuse and hepatotoxic drugs may increase liver risk. This therapy is not a replacement for condoms or other risk-reduction measures.

Questions about broader HIV therapy options can be explored with your clinician. For reference on combination treatments used in HIV care, see our product page for Kaletra Oral Solution and our Antivirals category.

What to Expect Over Time

The first two doses are one month apart, then the cadence becomes every two months. Injection-site reactions are common at the start and often lessen over time. Regular HIV testing continues throughout therapy. If the medicine is stopped, cabotegravir can remain in the body for many months; the prescriber may recommend additional HIV prevention steps during that period.

Adherence to visits is key. Keep a calendar, set reminders, and coordinate transportation early. If new medicines are added to the medication list, alert the prescriber to assess interaction risks. For awareness efforts, see National Hiv Testing Day.

Compare With Alternatives

Oral PrEP with tenofovir/emtricitabine is an established alternative. Daily tablets may suit people who prefer at-home dosing or cannot attend frequent visits. Another option is emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide for appropriate candidates and exposures. Choice depends on medical history, adherence preferences, and access.

Discuss each approach with a healthcare professional to align prevention goals with lifestyle and clinic access. Our HIV hub offers condition-specific context and links to related medicines.

Pricing and Access

We advocate for affordability and transparency. Canadian pricing can offer meaningful savings for self-pay patients. Buy Apretude injectable suspension through our platform to review options, compare cash rates, and coordinate clinic delivery. Apretude cash price varies by supply and manufacturer programs.

We provide US fulfilment that Ships from Canada to US through licensed partners. View current options, then select the quantity your prescriber ordered. If you are looking for coupons, check our Promotions page for any current offers. Checkout is secured with encrypted processing.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary. If the vial is unavailable, the prescriber may suggest an alternative prevention plan or temporary oral bridging per labeling. We do not guarantee restock dates. Pharmacists will contact the prescriber if a substitution is considered medically appropriate.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This prevention option may suit adults and adolescents who want long-acting protection administered in a clinic. It is not appropriate for people with HIV infection or those unable to attend scheduled dosing visits. Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to cabotegravir should avoid it.

To help manage out-of-pocket costs, consider multi-month coordination when clinically appropriate. You can align refills with upcoming visits to reduce repeat fees. Set reminders for renewal so the clinic can book the next injection within the recommended window. Our Canada sourcing can support consistent supply planning.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Eligibility basics: Am I a candidate for long-acting PrEP?
• Testing plan: How often will HIV and STI tests occur?
• Dosing windows: What happens if a visit is missed?
• Interactions: Which medicines or supplements should I avoid?
• Stopping plan: What prevention steps follow the last injection?
• Side effects: Which symptoms require prompt evaluation?
• Access: Can appointments be coordinated with travel plans?

Authoritative Sources

• ViiV Healthcare Apretude
• FDA Prescribing Information
• Health Canada DPD

Ready to proceed? You can place your order today with prompt, express shipping. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the official label. This page is informational and does not replace medical advice.