But whether it’s due to allergies, other medications, an inability to swallow tablets, or adherence challenges, it’s not suitable for everyone.
Apretude is a newly-approved medication that acts as an alternative for those people who can’t take PrEP tablets. And as of October 2025, it’s now available on NHS prescription in England, Scotland and Wales.
Let’s unpack how Apretude works, who’s eligible to get it, and how it compares to oral PrEP.
Three key takeaways
Apretude is available for adults and adolescents who weigh at least 35kg, have tested HIV-negative and can’t take oral PrEP.
Apretude is taken once a month for the first two months and then once every two months by 600mg injection into the muscle of the buttock, which is administered by a healthcare professional.
Common side effects include swelling, bruising or itching at the injection site, headaches, gastric issues, and sleep problems.
How does Apretude work?
Apretude is a brand name for the active ingredient cabotegravir.
It belongs to a group of anti-retroviral medicines called integrase inhibitors.They work by preventing an enzyme called integrase – which the HIV infection needs to be able to spread through cells – from working properly. There’s currently no generic version of the medication available.
While Apretude, like PrEP, can help prevent infection, our pharmacists recommend that you still practice safe sex.
“Apretude has been proven highly effective at preventing HIV infections in clinical trials, but it won’t prevent the spread of all STIs. Even if you’re taking Apretude, it’s still important to practice safer sex to protect yourself against other STIs. So, we recommend always wearing a condom and regular STI testing. Our pharmacists can also talk to you about your options for contraception and HIV prevention.”
When you begin taking Apretude, you’ll need an injection once a month for the first two months. This has to be done by a doctor.
After that point, you’ll need to have it injected once every two months for as long as you want to remain on the drug.
Before you receive your first dose of Apretude, your doctor may require you to take a cabotegravir tablet once a day for a month. This is done to see how well you tolerate the medication.
Apretude is a long-acting medication that can stay in your system for up to a year after taking it. That means you’ll need to be monitored by a healthcare professional while you’re on it.
Can you get Apretude on the NHS?
Yes. As of October 2025, Apretude is now available on the NHS, through prescription only, in England and Wales. In Scotland, it’s been available since February 2025, after approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in May 2024.
Where available, Apretude is prescribed to adults and adolescents who are not suitable for PrEP tablets. On top of that, you must weigh at least 35 kg (around five-and-a-half stone), have tested HIV-negative, and be deemed to be at high risk of HIV-1 infection.
You may be deemed at high risk of HIV-1 infection if you:
have a sexual partner who is HIV-positive
have a sexual partner or partners who don’t know their HIV status
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