Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) is a highly effective method of preventing HIV infection. It involves taking antiretroviral medications to reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sexual or injection drug use. Semi-annual PREP administration has emerged as a potential strategy to improve adherence and reduce the cost and burden of daily pill-taking.
Study Results
A recent study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine investigated the efficacy and safety of semi-annual PREP administration. The study included over 4,500 HIV-negative men and transgender women who were at high risk for HIV infection. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either semi-annual injections of cabotegravir or daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for a period of two years.
The results of the study were striking. No HIV infections occurred among participants who received semi-annual cabotegravir injections, compared to 12 HIV infections among participants who took daily oral TDF. This difference translates to a 98% reduction in the risk of HIV infection with semi-annual PREP.
Benefits of Semi-Annual PREP
Semi-annual PREP offers several potential benefits over daily oral PREP:
- Improved adherence: Injections are less frequent than daily pills, which can reduce the risk of non-adherence and improve the effectiveness of PREP.
- Reduced cost: Semi-annual injections are less expensive than daily oral PREP, making it more accessible to people at high risk for HIV.
- Reduced side effects: Cabotegravir is generally well-tolerated, with fewer side effects than TDF.
- Convenience: Semi-annual injections require less frequent administration, which can be more convenient for patients and healthcare providers.
Conclusion
The results of this study provide strong evidence for the efficacy and safety of semi-annual PREP administration. Semi-annual PREP is a promising approach to HIV prevention that offers several advantages over daily oral PREP. Further research is needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness and safety of semi-annual PREP, but these results suggest that it may be a valuable tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Kind regards
F. Hillsom
