Long-Acting Cabotegravir Plus Rilpivirine Is Preferred Treatment Option For Patients With HIV, Study Suggests

Infectious Disease Advisor (6/23, Nye) reports a study found that “long-acting (LA) cabotegravir (CAB) plus rilpivirine (RPV) is supported as a preferred treatment option for patients with HIV infection due to its effectiveness and ability to maintain virologic suppression.” Treatment guidelines updated in 2024 now recommend the “use of LA CAB plus RPV among individuals with HIV and a history of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence challenges.” In the study, 76% of participants “reported use of LA CAB Plus RPV that was consistent with labeling.” Overall, researchers noted “the most commonly cited primary motivations for switching to LA CAB plus RPV among study patients were fatigue with daily oral ART (27%) and a desire for a more consistent treatment option (21%).” Furthermore, 52% of the population “initiated the LA ART regimen at once-monthly dosing schedules, and 48% received the treatment every 2 months. At 12 months, 97% of patients reported adherence to the 2-month dosing schedule.” The study was published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.