A new era in HIV prevention
There’s a newly FDA-approved kind of PrEP on the scene, and it only takes two shots a year.
On June 18, 2025, the FDA approved Yeztugo®, a long-acting injectable form of PrEP that protects against HIV for a full six months per dose. It may offer a meaningful alternative to the daily pills many people have been using since PrEP first became available over a decade ago.
For anyone who struggles with taking a pill every day (or just wants a lower-maintenance option) Yeztugo® could be a game-changer.
Let’s break down what this new PrEP option is, how it works, and how it compares to the other forms of HIV prevention already out there.
What is Yeztugo® (Lenacapavir)?
Yeztugo® is the brand name for the medication lenacapavir when it’s used as PrEP — short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. That means it’s a medication you take before being exposed to HIV to help prevent infection.
Unlike traditional PrEP pills that you take every day, Yeztugo® is a long-acting injectable. You get one shot, just under the skin, and it reduces the risk of HIV transmission for six whole months when taken as prescribed.
Yeztugo® is made by Gilead Sciences, the makers of oral PrEP pills Truvada® and Descovy®.
It’s a meaningful step forward in HIV prevention, especially for people looking for a discreet, long-lasting option that fits easily into their life.
How does Yeztugo® work?
Yeztugo® works by blocking a key step in the HIV life cycle. Basically, it works by stopping the HIV virus from copying itself and spreading in your body, which helps prevent infection. The technical term is “capsid inhibitor,” but all you really need to know is that it stops HIV from getting established in your body by blocking a key part of how the virus spreads.
Yeztugo® is given as a subcutaneous injection, which means it goes just under the skin (not deep into the muscle like some other shots). Most people get it in the belly, and the injection only takes a minute or two.
To kick things off, you’ll take two starter pills — one on Day 1 and one on Day 2 — to make sure the medication reaches the right level in your system before your first injection.
Once it’s in your system, Lenacapavir hangs out in your body for months, providing protection from HIV exposure through sex without the need for daily oral PrEP pills, when taken as directed. Right now, it’s approved as one shot every six months, so if you’re consistent with appointments, you’re covered for a full year with just two injections.
If you miss your injection by more than two weeks, your provider may, based on medical guidance, recommend a course of Lenacapavir pills once a week for up to 6 months to keep your protection going until your next injection.
From HIV treatment to HIV prevention
Before it was approved as PrEP, lenacapavir was already in use under the brand name Sunlenca® as an injectable HIV treatment for people living with multidrug-resistant HIV. It was designed to be taken less frequently than traditional antiretroviral therapies, offering a new level of flexibility for those managing HIV long term.
That same long-acting potential is what makes it so exciting as a prevention tool. With Yeztugo®, researchers took the same compound and applied it to HIV prevention, giving people who are HIV-negative a new way to protect themselves, with just two injections a year.
How does it compare to other types of PrEP?
Yeztugo® isn’t the only PrEP option out there, and that’s a good thing. Different bodies and lifestyles need different kinds of protection. If you’re currently on daily oral PrEP (like Truvada or Descovy), or have heard of Apretude (another injectable option), you might be wondering how Yeztugo® stacks up.
Here’s a quick look at how the main PrEP options compare:
Is Yeztugo® effective?
Short answer? Yes — very.
In clinical trials, lenacapavir showed ≥99.9% efficacy at preventing HIV acquisition via sexual transmission over the course of the study. Only 2 participants out of 2183 in the Purpose 2 trial contracted HIV while on Yeztugo® as prescribed. In the Purpose 1 trial, tested on cis-women? Zero infections.
More studies are still ongoing for other groups, including:
- Gay and Bisexual men
- Cis-women in the USA
- People who use injection drugs
- Cis women, GBMSM, trans and gender diverse folks of colour in UK/France
But the data from two large clinical trials is incredibly promising, and experts are optimistic that those results will hold across diverse communities.
Of course, like all forms of PrEP, adherence matters, which is why having a once-every-6-months option could be a huge deal for people who’ve struggled with daily pills or frequent appointments.
What else should I know about Yeztugo® ?
Yeztugo® was officially approved by the FDA on June 18, 2025, which means it’s now a fully greenlit option for HIV prevention in the U.S. That’s huge news. But rollout won’t happen overnight.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Insurance coverage will take time to expand. As with most new medications, insurance coverage takes time to expand. We expect more plans to begin covering Yeztugo® over the next 6 months, with broader coverage by early 2026.
- Freddie will begin offering Yeztugo® We’ll start expanding access as insurance coverage increases, so our patients can get it affordably.
- You’ll still need to check in with a provider. While Yeztugo® only requires two injections a year, you’ll still need to stay connected with a healthcare provider for check-ins and lab work.
- Not everyone will be a candidate. Like all medications, Yeztugo® isn’t a perfect fit for everyone, but it’s a powerful new option to have on the table.
We’ll continue updating this info as more details become available, so you always know where things stand.
A major step forward in HIV prevention
Yeztugo® represents an important development in PrEP options for HIV prevention. For people who want protection without the pressure of daily pills, it offers something that’s never been available before: long-lasting, low-maintenance peace of mind.
But just like with any medication, the best kind of PrEP is the one that works for you. Some people thrive on a daily routine. Others need a set-it-and-forget-it option. No matter where you land, you’ve got choices. And now, even more of them.
If you’re curious about trying Yeztugo® or just want to talk through your options, Freddie is ready when you are.
