New Ways to Prevent HIV: Injectables vs. Pills

HIV prevention has come a long way. Safe sex practices, like using condoms and reducing partners, are still key. Surgical methods, like male circumcision, can also help. Treating infections is another preventive measure. But, people don't always use these methods. That's why scientists are exploring biomedical HIV prevention with therapeutics.

One approach is daily oral pills. They work well if taken correctly, but people often forget. This is a big problem. Plus, not everyone has access to these pills due to insurance issues. Recently, a new injectable drug called cabotegravir was approved. It's given every two months and doesn't rely on daily adherence. This is a game-changer for many people. Another new drug, lenacapavir, is given under the skin every six months. This makes it the longest-acting PrEP medication out there. It's a first of its kind, so there's no widespread resistance to it yet. These injectables are a huge step forward in making HIV prevention more accessible and effective.

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