Why in news?
Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, saw major rollout advancements in Africa.
Key Facts about Lenacapavir
- Drug class: Capsid inhibitor (a new class of antiretrovirals)
- Brand names: Sunlenca, Yeztugo
- Administration: Oral tablets (300 mg) or subcutaneous injection (463.5 mg/1.5 mL)
- Legal status: Prescription-only in the US, EU, Australia, and Canada
Medical Uses
- Treatment of HIV-1 infection:
- Used in combination with other antiretrovirals.
- Especially for adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 whose current regimen is failing.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP):
- Recently recommended by WHO as a twice-yearly injectable option for HIV prevention.
- Provides a long-acting alternative to daily oral PrEP pills
Advantages
- Long-acting: Only requires dosing every six months (injection).
- Effective in resistant cases: Helps patients with limited treatment options.
- Convenience: Reduces pill burden and improves adherence compared to daily regimens.
Side Effects & Considerations
- Common side effects: injection site reactions, nausea, headache, fatigue.
- Must be combined with other antiretrovirals for HIV treatment (not used alone).
- As with all HIV therapies, monitoring for resistance and drug interactions is essential
Lenacapavir represents a major innovation in HIV care:
- For treatment, it offers hope to patients with resistant HIV strains.
- For prevention, WHO’s endorsement of twice-yearly injections could reshape global HIV strategies by making adherence easier and expanding protection options.
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