In the study, two-thirds of the respondents (61%) said yes to the choice of "taking a single pill once a week," followed by one-thirds of those (34%) who opted for 2 injectables given in a clinic setting every two months. Lowest interest was towards 2 plastic implants in the forearm every six months as a mode of administering the therapy.
Choice matters
Dr Jurgen Rockstroh said that "Increased flexibility of delivery of antiretroviral therapy is needed to meet the diverse needs of people living with HIV. People continue to face physical, emotional, and psychological challenges with daily oral therapy. These challenges have been associated with poor health outcomes, including low treatment satisfaction, self-reported virological failure, suboptimal self-rated overall health, and poor adherence."
What is long-acting HIV treatment?
Studies have shown that long-acting injectable HIV treatment regimens of cabotegravir and rilpivirine (intramuscular injection once every month or every two months) are as effective as daily oral regimens. Those people who may find it difficult to adhere to a daily oral therapy or confront HIV disclosure or stigma, may opt for long-acting ones if found eligible. Long-acting regimens are recommended as a preferred option for those people with HIV who are virologically suppressed or those who are on a stable antiretroviral regimen and might be facing challenges with daily oral therapy.
Long-acting regimens are now recommended by several HIV treatment guidelines, including those of US Department of Health and Human Services, EACS, and International Antiviral Society USA, among others.
There are new options of administering long-acting antiretroviral medicines, two of which are:
- Intramuscular injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine medicines once every two months
- Sub-cutaneous injections of lenacapavir once every six months
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