Move beyond daily pills. Protect yourself against HIV-1 with just one clinic visit every 6 months. Experience confidential, stigma-free, specialist-led HIV prevention at HIV Care India.

What is Lenacapavir (Yeztugo®) for PrEP?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has entered a transformative new era. Lenacapavir (approved globally by the US FDA under the brand name Yeztugo®) is a first-in-class, long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor. Unlike traditional oral PrEP that requires strict daily adherence, Lenacapavir is administered as a subcutaneous injection just twice a year (once every 6 months).
  
Named Science magazine’s Breakthrough of the Year and backed by landmark global clinical trials, Lenacapavir offers near-complete protection against sexually acquired HIV-1. At HIV Care India, our HIV specialists provide comprehensive screening, counseling, and access pathways for long-acting PrEP tailored to your lifestyle.
  
Why Choose Twice-Yearly Injectable PrEP?
6 Months of Continuous Protection: Only two dosing visits per year—no daily alarms or pill fatigue.  
Complete Privacy & Discretion: No pill bottles to carry during travel or store at home.
Unprecedented Efficacy: Demonstrated 99.9% to 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection in Phase 3 trials.  
Multi-Stage Mechanism: As a capsid inhibitor, Lenacapavir blocks the HIV virus at multiple stages of its lifecycle, stopping it before it can establish an infection.

The Science Behind Lenacapavir: PURPOSE 1 & PURPOSE 2 Trials
In clinical studies, Lenacapavir proved superior to daily oral Truvada® because it eliminates the challenge of missed daily doses:
PURPOSE 1 Trial: Conducted among cisgender women, twice-yearly Lenacapavir demonstrated 100% efficacy, with zero HIV infections recorded among 2,134 participants.
PURPOSE 2 Trial: Conducted among cisgender men, transgender women, transgender men, and gender non-binary individuals, Lenacapavir demonstrated 99.9% efficacy, reducing HIV risk significantly better than daily oral pills.

How Treatment Works: Your Step-by-Step PrEP Journey at HIV Care India
Because Lenacapavir stays in the body for 6 months, starting treatment safely requires strict clinical screening to confirm you are HIV-negative before your first dose.

Step 1: Confidential Consultation & Risk Assessment
Meet privately (in-clinic or via tele-consultation) with our HIV specialist to discuss your sexual health goals, medical history, and current medications.

Step 2: Baseline Lab Screening
We perform a rapid 4th-generation HIV Antigen/Antibody test and an HIV-1 RNA (viral load) test to rule out acute HIV infection, alongside routine kidney, liver, and STI/Hepatitis B screenings.

Step 3: Initiation & First Subcutaneous Injection
Once cleared, treatment begins with a brief oral tablet initiation alongside your first subcutaneous injection administered comfortably under the skin of the abdomen by our trained medical staff.

Step 4: Seamless 6-Month Follow-Ups
Our automated, discreet reminder system ensures you stay within your 26-week dosing window for repeat HIV testing and your next 6-month maintenance shot.

Who Should Consider Lenacapavir PrEP?

Lenacapavir for PrEP is ideal for HIV-negative adults and adolescents (weighing at least 35 kg) who may be at risk of acquiring HIV-1 and want reliable protection, including:

Individuals who find it difficult to remember taking a daily oral PrEP pill.

People who want complete privacy without keeping medication at home.

Individuals with a partner living with HIV whose viral load is not yet undetectable.

Those who engage in condomless sex with partners of unknown HIV status or have recently been diagnosed with an STI.

Individuals with kidney or bone density concerns who want an alternative to TDF-based oral PrEP.


Lenacapavir Availability and Cost in India.

India plays a central role in making Lenacapavir accessible globally:
Indian Generic Partnerships: Through voluntary licensing agreements with Indian pharmaceutical leaders—including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Emcure, Hetero, and Mylan—affordable generic versions of Lenacapavir are being fast-tracked.  
CDSCO / DCGI Updates: Following India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regulatory waivers to accelerate local rollout, generic Lenacapavir is transitioning toward widespread accessibility in India.  

How HIV Care India Helps You Today: Contact our patient navigation team for real-time updates on local inventory, pricing tiers, named-patient import pathways, or bridging strategies using daily/on-demand
 oral PrEP until your injectable cycle begins.

Safety, Side Effects & Important Medical Warnings
Lenacapavir is generally well-tolerated. In clinical trials, the most common side effects included:  
Injection Site Reactions (ISRs): Mild-to-moderate redness, swelling, pain, or a small subcutaneous nodule (bump) under the skin at the injection site that gradually resolves.

Mild Systemic Effects: Occasional headache or mild nausea during initiation.

Important Safety Note (Boxed Warning): You must test negative for HIV-1 immediately prior to starting Lenacapavir and before every subsequent 6-month injection. Using Lenacapavir alone when you already have undiagnosed HIV can lead to drug resistance. Lenacapavir protects against HIV-1; it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lenacapavir PrEP

Q1: How often do I need to take Lenacapavir for PrEP?
After your initial dosing (which includes oral lead-in tablets and your first subcutaneous injection), you only need one clinic visit every 6 months (26 weeks) for your maintenance injection.

Q2: Can I switch from daily oral PrEP (Tenofovir/Emtricitabine) to Lenacapavir?
Yes. Transitioning from daily oral PrEP to twice-yearly Lenacapavir is seamless. Our doctors at HIV Care India will perform a baseline HIV test and transition you directly onto your first injection without any gap in protection.

Q3: Does the Lenacapavir injection hurt?
Lenacapavir is given as a subcutaneous injection (just under the skin of the abdomen), not a deep muscle shot. Most patients report mild stinging or pressure during the injection and a small, temporary firm nodule under the skin afterward.

Q4: What happens if I miss my 6-month injection appointment?
Sticking to your 6-month schedule is critical. If an unavoidable delay occurs (such as international travel), notify your HIV Care India specialist immediately. Oral PrEP or oral Lenacapavir bridging tablets can be prescribed to maintain continuous protection until you can visit the clinic.

Q5: Is my consultation at HIV Care India completely confidential?
Absolutely. Every consultation, diagnostic test, and treatment record at HIV Care India is strictly confidential and protected under patient privacy protocols.


Take Control of Your Sexual Health—Just Twice a Year
Speak with an experienced HIV prevention specialist today in a safe, welcoming, and 100% confidential environment.
Schedule Your Appointment Now
[Call / WhatsApp]: Call Us at 8657295284.
Oct 25th, 2026 3:32 AM