What Is Apretude? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Apretude is the brand name for cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension — the first and, until Yeztugo's 2025 approval, the only long-acting injectable HIV prevention medication. Approved by the FDA on December 20, 2021, it changed the PrEP landscape by offering an injection every two months instead of a daily pill.

What Is Apretude Used For?

Apretude is FDA-approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who:

Weigh at least 35 kg (77 lbs)

Are confirmed HIV-1 negative

Are at risk for sexually acquired HIV-1 infection

It is approved for all sexes and genders. It is not indicated for prevention of HIV through injection drug use, and it is not a treatment for people who already have HIV.

Who Makes Apretude?

Apretude is manufactured by ViiV Healthcare, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on HIV medicines. ViiV Healthcare is headquartered in Durham, NC and is majority-owned by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The active ingredient, cabotegravir, is also available as an oral tablet (brand name: Vocabria) used as an optional lead-in before starting injections.

How Is Apretude Dosed?

Apretude is given as a 600 mg (3 mL) intramuscular injection into the gluteal (buttock) muscle by a healthcare provider. It is never self-administered. The dosing schedule:

Optional oral lead-in: Vocabria (cabotegravir) 30 mg oral tablet once daily for approximately 28 days (at least 4 weeks) to assess tolerability. Not required — your provider will discuss whether it's right for you.

First injection (Injection 1): 600 mg IM on the last day of the oral lead-in or within 3 days, OR directly if skipping the oral lead-in.

Second injection (Injection 2): 600 mg IM one month after Injection 1.

Continuation injections: 600 mg IM every 2 months after Injection 2. Up to a 7-day window (before or after the target date) is allowed.

After the initiation period, most patients need just 6 injections per year.

How Effective Is Apretude?

Apretude's efficacy was evaluated in two landmark randomized clinical trials comparing it to daily oral Truvada:

HPTN 083: 4,566 cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men. Apretude reduced HIV infections by 69% compared to Truvada.

HPTN 084: 3,224 cisgender women. Apretude reduced HIV infections by 90% compared to Truvada.

These results are better than those seen with daily oral Truvada — largely because Apretude removes the adherence burden. When you only need 6 injections a year and a healthcare provider administers them, there's much less room for missed doses.

Who Should NOT Take Apretude?

Apretude is contraindicated in individuals who:

Have a confirmed or suspected HIV-1 infection

Have had a prior hypersensitivity reaction to cabotegravir

Are taking certain anticonvulsants or antimycobacterials that are strong UGT1A1 or UGT1A9 inducers (rifampin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, apalutamide)

Is There a Generic Version of Apretude?

No. As of 2026, Apretude is only available as a brand-name medication from ViiV Healthcare. There is no FDA-approved generic injectable cabotegravir.

The Bottom Line

Apretude is a clinically proven, FDA-approved HIV prevention option that's superior to daily oral PrEP in trials and available to most patients at $0 under ACA insurance mandates. If you want to explore whether it's right for you, start by finding a provider — read our guide on how to find Apretude near you or visit medfinder.com to get started.