US FDA approves first ever injectable PrEP to curb HIV
The US Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that it has approved the first injectable medicine for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex.
Apretude is licensed for adults and teens who are at least 77 pounds and are at risk of contracting HIV through intercourse. It's given twice a month at first, then every two months after that.
Previously, PrEP was only accessible as pills, Truvada and Descovy.
Dr. Debra Birnkrant, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research's Division of Antivirals, said, "Today's approval adds a vital tool in the quest to end the HIV epidemic by giving the first option to prevent HIV that does not need taking a daily tablet."
The new drug's approval "will be essential in managing...