UofL doctor says new FDA-approved HIV prevention could be a 'game-changer'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Doctors now have a new tool to help put an end to HIV, a preventative, injectable medication used called Apretude, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month.

The FDA said Apretude is "for use in at-risk adults and adolescents" for pre-exposure to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV.

"Apretude is given first as two initiation injections administered one month apart, and then every two months thereafter," the FDA said in December.

It's also the first option to prevent HIV that doesn't involve taking a pill every day, according to the FDA.

While it's not available to patients just yet, doctors said it should be available early this year.

"We don't have a cure," said Dr. Karen Krigger with UofL Health. "This new medication, I think, is going to be a game-changer for a lot of people in decreasing the incidence of HIV in the community."

Doctors said since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have been increased numbers of HIV cases in Kentucky.

Related Stories: