Key Summary
- MHRA has approved lenacapavir for adults and teens to help prevent sexually transmitted HIV
- It can be taken as a six-monthly injection or short course of tablets, offering more choice
- It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, alongside existing safer sex measures
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved lenacapavir (Yeytuo) to prevent sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection among adults and adolescents.
The drug administered in the form of pills and jabs reduces the risk of virus multiplying and spreading across the body.
It gets attached to the outer layer of HIV-1 virus, and stops its ability to multiply and spread.
This medicine can be used for safer sex practices by taking an injection every six months, or by taking two days of oral tablets for the first dose.
“The approval of lenacapavir marks the introduction of a 6-monthly long-acting preventative option for sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection.,” commented Julian Beach, Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA.
He added, “Blocking the virus from multiplying if exposure occurs, lenacapavir offers an additional choice alongside existing safer sex practices.”
The drug will still be under the MHRA’s observation even after the approval to ensure utmost safety.
