provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content

Apretude

cabotegravir
Used for HIV Prevention
Used for HIV Prevention

Apretude (cabotegravir) is a long-acting injection used to lower the risk of getting an HIV infection in people at risk. It's an antiviral medication that's FDA approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which means it helps prevent HIV before you're exposed to it. The injection is typically given every other month as a shot in the buttock muscle by a healthcare professional. The most common side effects are injection site reactions like pain, redness, and hardening of the skin.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 4, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Apretude (cabotegravir)?

What is Apretude (cabotegravir) used for?

  • HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

How Apretude (cabotegravir) works

Apretude (cabotegravir) is an integrase inhibitor. It works by blocking an enzyme (protein) called integrase that HIV uses to insert its genetic material into your cells. By stopping this step, the virus can't cause an infection in your body.

Are you looking for information on Vocabria (cabotegravir) tablets or Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) injection instead?
When does Apretude (cabotegravir) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsApretude
Drug ClassAntiretroviral
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Apretude (cabotegravir) essentials

GettyImages-1304999116.jpg

What's the Difference Between Apretude and Cabenuva for HIV?

Written by Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Apretude (cabotegravir)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Injection site reaction (38-82%)
  • Headache (4-12%)
  • Diarrhea (4%)
  • Nausea (3-4%)
  • Dizziness (2-4%)
  • Fever (up to 4%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 4%)

Other Side Effects

  • Feeling tired
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle pain
  • Rash
  • Lower appetite
  • Drowsiness

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious allergic reactions: rash, mouth sores, feeling ill, trouble breathing, tiredness, fever, muscle or joint pain, swelling in the face, redness or swelling in the eyes
  • Liver problems: upper right stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, itching
  • Mood changes: feeling sad, restlessness, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behavior

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Apretude (cabotegravir)

thumbs-up

Pros

Only FDA-approved injection for HIV PrEP

After the first two doses, only need to get an injection every other month

Works well at reducing the risk of HIV infection

thumbs-down

Cons

Commonly causes pain at the injection site

Must be injected in the buttock muscle

Requires regular visits to a healthcare professional for injections

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Apretude (cabotegravir)

pharmacist

  • In addition to getting Apretude (cabotegravir) injections, it's important to take other steps to lower your risk of HIV. These include using condoms during sex, knowing your partner’s HIV status, and getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

    • It’s important to get your Apretude (cabotegravir) injections on time for them to work best. If you miss a dose, your prescriber will decide whether to continue or switch your medication. You might need extra doses depending on how late your shot was.

      • If you know you’ll miss your Apretude (cabotegravir) injection by more than 7 days, your prescriber might recommend Vocabria (cabotegravir) tablets. This tablet can be taken to cover the gap, but only for up to 2 months.

        • Let your prescriber know if you have HIV symptoms, like fever, muscle pain, tiredness, or rash so you can be tested right away. Apretude (cabotegravir) is only for prevention — it doesn't treat HIV.

          • If you decide to stop taking Apretude (cabotegravir) but still have HIV risk, talk to your prescriber within 2 months of your last shot. They can help you switch to another option to stay protected.

            • Apretude (cabotegravir) is a long-acting injection that can stay in your body for 12 months or longer after your last dose. Because it stays in your system for a long time, talk to your prescriber before stopping so you can make a plan and lower your risk of getting HIV.

              • Apretude (cabotegravir) can interact with other medications. Tell your care team about all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you take before starting.

                • Call your care team if you get a rash while taking Apretude (cabotegravir). Get medical help right away if the rash comes with fever, blisters, swelling, or trouble breathing. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction, and you might need to stop receiving the medication.

                  • If you're pregnant or planning to be, there’s a registry that tracks how Apretude (cabotegravir) affects pregnancy. Talk to your prescriber about the risks versus benefits of taking this medication in pregnancy.

                    • If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your care team about the risks and benefits of taking Apretude (cabotegravir). This medication can stay in your body for up to 12 months, and small amounts might pass to your baby.

                      faqs

                      Frequently asked questions about Apretude (cabotegravir)

                      How effective is Apretude (cabotegravir)?
                      In studies, for cisgender men and transgender women, Apretude (cabotegravir) reduced the risk of getting HIV by 67% compared to taking a daily Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) pill. And for cisgender women, Apretude (cabotegravir) lowered the risk by 88% compared to a daily Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) pill.
                      Can women take Apretude (cabotegravir)?
                      Yes, women can take Apretude (cabotegravir) for HIV PrEP. It's FDA approved for use in people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 lbs, including cisgender and transgender women.
                      Does Apretude (cabotegravir) need to be refrigerated?
                      Yes. Apretude (cabotegravir) should be kept in the refrigerator at your prescriber's office until it's ready for use. The medication should be brought to room temperature before the injection to help reduce pain during the shot.
                      How long does Apretude (cabotegravir) stay in your system?
                      Apretude (cabotegravir) can stay in your body for 12 months or longer after you stop taking it. But that doesn’t mean it will keep protecting you that whole time. After about 2 months, the amount of medication in your system gets too low to work well. To stay protected from HIV, you need to get this medication every 2 months.
                      How long does Apretude (cabotegravir) take to work?
                      It isn't known exactly how long it takes for Apretude (cabotegravir) to start working, and this can vary from person to person. Studies show that it takes about a week to reach protective levels in your body, but about 50% of people reach those levels just 1 day after the shot. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about how soon this medication will start protecting you.
                      Is Apretude (cabotegravir) a vaccine?
                      No, Apretude (cabotegravir) isn't a vaccine. It's an antiviral medication that prevents HIV infection in your body as long as there's enough of the medication in your blood.
                      Where can I get Apretude (cabotegravir)?
                      Apretude (cabotegravir) is a prescription medication that must be given by a healthcare professional. Talk to your healthcare professional to see if Apretude (cabotegravir) is right for you based on your HIV risk and overall health. Once prescribed, it's usually injected by a healthcare professional in their office, but you might also be able to receive it at a public health clinic.
                      How long does Apretude (cabotegravir) last?
                      Protection from Apretude (cabotegravir) against HIV lasts for 2 months after you complete the starting doses. To stay protected, it's important to keep getting your injection on time every 2 months.
                      GoodRxEducationalIcon

                      How to save using GoodRx

                      Compare Prices
                      1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
                      Select your free coupon
                      2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
                      Show coupon to your pharmacist
                      3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
                      Get free couponLearn more
                      warings-icon

                      What are the risks and warnings for Apretude (cabotegravir)?

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                      risk-warning

                      Take extra steps to prevent HIV

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) can help lower your risk of getting HIV, but it works best when used with other protection methods. This includes getting your injections on time and practicing safer sex, like using condoms and getting tested regularly for STIs.

                      Before starting Apretude (cabotegravir), your prescriber might ask you about any recent situations where you could have been exposed to HIV — like unprotected sex or a recent STI. You'll also need to take an HIV test before each injection. Let your prescriber know if you have symptoms of HIV, such as fever, feeling tired, muscle pain, and skin rash, either before or during treatment.

                      risk-warning

                      HIV resistance

                      There’s a chance that HIV could become harder to treat if you get infected before, during, or shortly after stopping Apretude (cabotegravir). To help prevent this, your prescriber will test you for HIV before each injection to make sure you’re still HIV-negative. If you test positive, you’ll need to switch to full HIV treatment.

                      If you stop getting Apretude (cabotegravir) but are still at risk for HIV, your prescriber might recommend another type of PrEP. It's best to start the new medication within 2 months after your last injection.

                      risk-warning

                      Long-acting effects of the injection

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) can stay in your body for up to 12 months or longer after your last injection. That’s why it’s important to get your shots on time every 2 months. Missing doses can raise your risk of getting HIV and make the virus harder to treat if you do get infected.

                      risk-warning

                      Serious allergic reaction

                      Some people have had serious allergic reactions while taking cabotegravir, the active ingredient in Apretude (cabotegravir). In rare cases, these reactions have included serious skin problems like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). In studies, some people started with Vocabria (cabotegravir) tablets first to help spot early signs of a reaction before getting injections. Stop taking the medication right away and call your care team if you get a severe rash or a rash with other symptoms like fever, feeling very tired, muscle or joint pain, blisters, mouth sores, red or irritated eyes, facial swelling, or trouble breathing.

                      risk-warning

                      Liver problems

                      Liver problems have been reported in some people taking Apretude (cabotegravir), even in those without known liver issues. Your prescriber might check your liver with blood tests during treatment to watch for any signs of damage. Call your prescriber right away if you notice signs of liver problems like pain in the upper right side of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or itching.

                      risk-warning

                      Depression and mood changes

                      Mood changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts of behavior, have been reported in some people taking Apretude (cabotegravir). If you or someone close to you notices any changes in your mood, call your prescriber right away. They will help decide if it’s safe for you to keep taking Apretude (cabotegravir).

                      risk-warning

                      Interactions with other medications

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) can interact with many other medications. These interactions can lead to side effects, making the medication not work as it should for preventing HIV. Before and while taking Apretude (cabotegravir), tell your prescriber about everything you take — prescription, over-the-counter products, and supplements — so they can help manage any possible interactions.

                      dosage

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) dosage forms

                      Typical dosing for Apretude (cabotegravir)

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) is approved for adults and teens ages 12 and older, weighing at least 35 kg (77 lbs).

                      The typical starting dose is one 600 mg injection into the buttock muscle once a month for 2 months. After that, the maintenance dose is one 600 mg injection once every 2 months.

                      *Note: You might need to take Vocabria (cabotegravir) tablets for about a month before receiving Apretude (cabotegravir) injections.

                      contraindications-icon

                      Apretude (cabotegravir) contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Apretude (cabotegravir) will not be safe for you to take.
                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Apretude (cabotegravir)?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Apretude (cabotegravir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Apretude (cabotegravir)
                      Used for:

                      • HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

                      View Prices
                      Truvada
                      Used for:
                      $28.46 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)
                      Used for:

                      • Treatment of HIV infection

                      • Prevention of HIV infection (PrEP) through sexual intercourse, except for receptive vaginal sex

                      $2147.41 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

                      Get savings updates for Apretude (cabotegravir)

                      Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Apretude (cabotegravir) and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

                      By providing your email, you consent to receive marketing communications from GoodRx, which may include content and/or data related to men’s health, women's health, reproductive care, or sexual health. You agree to the GoodRx Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

                      Browse medications

                      View All

                      Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.