Apretude Injectable PrEP in Phoenix
No oral medication. No pill anxiety. Just one injection every two months to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Available at Spectrum Medical, Arizona’s #1 PrEP provider.
HIV Prevention Without a Daily Pill
Apretude is the first FDA-approved long-acting injectable form of PrEP designed to help reduce the risk of HIV transmission without the need for a daily pill. Instead of taking oral medication every day, Apretude is administered as an injection by a healthcare provider every two months after the initial start-up doses.
At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we believe HIV prevention should be personalized. For some people, injectable PrEP offers more flexibility, convenience, and discretion while still providing highly effective HIV prevention.
What Is Apretude?
Apretude is a long-acting injectable form of PrEP that uses the medication cabotegravir to help prevent HIV before potential exposure occurs. It is FDA approved for adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds who are at risk of sexually acquired HIV.
Unlike daily oral PrEP, Apretude reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 99% and is administered as an intramuscular injection by a healthcare provider every two months following two initiation injections given one month apart.
Why Are More People Choosing Injectable PrEP?
For some people, taking a daily pill can feel inconvenient, stressful, or difficult to maintain consistently. Injectable PrEP offers a longer-acting HIV prevention option that may better fit different lifestyles and healthcare needs.
Some people choose Apretude because they:
- prefer fewer doses throughout the year
- want a more discreet prevention option
- experience medication fatigue
- travel frequently
- have difficulty maintaining a daily medication routine
More prevention choices allow patients to select the HIV prevention plan that works best for them.
Did You Know
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How often do you get Apretude injections?
After the initial two injections given one month apart, Apretude is administered every two months by a healthcare provider.
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Is Apretude better than daily PrEP?
There is no single “best” HIV prevention option. Some people prefer daily oral PrEP, while others prefer longer-acting injectable options like Apretude. The right prevention plan depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and healthcare needs.
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How Effective Is Apretude?
When taken as prescribed, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99%.
Clinical trials showed that long-acting injectable cabotegravir was even more effective at preventing HIV transmission than daily oral PrEP in certain study populations.
Additional real-world studies presented at IDWeek 2024 demonstrated more than 99% effectiveness among people using Apretude for HIV prevention. -
Does Apretude replace condoms or STI testing?
No. Apretude helps reduce the risk of HIV transmission, but it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections. Routine STI testing remains an important part of sexual health.
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What Happens During an Apretude Appointment?
Before starting Apretude, patients will meet with our PrEP Navigation Team to determine if Apretude is right for them. HIV testing is required before each injection appointment to confirm the medication remains appropriate.
Apretude is administered as an intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle by a healthcare provider. Some people may experience mild injection site reactions such as soreness, redness, or swelling that typically improve over time.
Our providers walk patients through every step of the process and answer questions along the way. -
What happens if I miss an Apretude appointment?
Staying on schedule is important to help maintain effective HIV prevention. If you think you may miss an injection appointment, contact Spectrum Medical Care Center as soon as possible so your provider can discuss your options.
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Does Spectrum Medical offer other PrEP options?
Yes. Spectrum Medical Care Center also offers daily oral PrEP and YEZTUGO, the first twice-yearly injectable form of PrEP. Our providers can help you choose the HIV prevention option that best fits your lifestyle and healthcare goals.
Looking for Other PrEP Options?
Spectrum Medical Care Center also offers daily oral PrEP and long-acting injectable options like YEZTUGO, the first twice-yearly injectable form of PrEP.
Our providers can help you explore the HIV prevention option that best fits your lifestyle and healthcare goals.
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