The advantage would be in the prolonged action, with a reduction from 365 oral doses per year to about six injections in the same period
A National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the first injectable drug for the prevention of HIV in Brazil, Cabotegravir, which will be another option for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP)that is, continued use of antiretroviral drugs for people at greatest risk of contamination.
The authorization was given to the company GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and is with resolution nº 1.970, of 1 June 2023, published in the Official Journal of the Union last 5 June.
Currently, the drugs available to the public are pills for oral use. The main difference from the new ones is in their prolonged action, with a reduction in the need for doses.
Basically, an intramuscular injection is given in the buttock region, with the first two doses four weeks apart, and then one dose every eight weeks. That is, instead of 365 annual doses, there would be only six.
According to information released by GSK in 2020, the effectiveness of the new method would be 69% greater than drugs for oral and daily use. In addition, with less frequent dosing, it is expected that treatment adherence will increase for those using this type of medication.
For more information on efficacy, safety and who should use the PReP method, you can access the website and documents of the Ministry of Health (no updates yet regarding injectables).
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
