What is PrEP?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is medication that is taken regularly for patients at risk for getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP prevents you from HIV infection. Prevention is important because there is no cure for HIV. It can reduce the risk of HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%. PrEP works best if you don’t miss doses, so it’s important that you take it as prescribed. PrEP medication is covered by most health insurance plans and any provider can prescribe it for you.
What are the PrEP options?
In the US, there are a few PrEP options available. Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) and Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) are PrEP pills that you take once every day. Apretude (cabotegravir) is a shot that you get every 2 months. The newest PrEP option available is Yeztugo (lenacapavir), which are shots you get every 6 months (26 weeks). Even though there are many options available, some of these can only be used in certain patients, have different side effects, are taken differently, and vary in price. It’s important to talk to your doctor so they can help you choose a medication that’s right for you.
What is lenacapavir?
Lenacapavir is a medication that can be used for treatment of resistant HIV. It was also recently approved for use as PrEP in all patients at risk for HIV. It’s important to know that there are different brand names for the same medication. Sunlenca is the brand name for lenacapavir when used as HIV treatment. Yeztugo is the brand name when using it as PrEP.
How is Yeztugo taken?
Once in the maintenance phase, you only need 2 shots at the same time every 6 months (26 weeks). When starting this medication, you need to get the 2 shots in addition to oral pills for the first 2 days.
What happens if you miss a dose of Yeztugo?
If you miss the second day of Yeztugo pills, take them as soon as possible. You can be up to 2 weeks late for your injections, but if you are later than 2 weeks, you may have to take pills to stay protected. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you miss any doses. It’s important you keep up with your injection appointments to ensure you are fully protected against any possible HIV exposure.
Who can use Yeztugo for PrEP?
Yeztugo is approved for PrEP to reduce risk of sexually acquired HIV in adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 lbs who are at risk of getting HIV. You must test negative for HIV before starting this medication. Yeztugo was studied in males, females, and gender-diverse people from different backgrounds, countries, and sexual practices. Yeztugo is not yet approved for patients who inject drugs.
What are ways you can prevent HIV without PrEP?
Here are some things you can do to prevent HIV without PrEP medications:
- Do NOT share needles or injection equipment
- Use protection during sex such as condoms
- Make sure you and your partner are tested regularly for HIV
For more information about PrEP, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/prep.html
For more information about Yeztugo, please visit https://www.yeztugo.com/
Written by:
Aidan Samayoa
2026 PharmD Candidate
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
St. Joseph’s University
References:
Pre-exposure prophylaxis [Internet]. Washington, D.C.: Hiv.gov; [cited 2026 Jan 18]. Available from: https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Preventing HIV with PrEP [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; [updated 2024 Jan 18; cited 2026 Jan 18]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/prep.html
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