The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first long-acting drug combo for HIV, monthly shots that can replace the daily pills now used to control infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).
Thursday’s approval of the two-shot combo called Cabenuva is expected to make it easier for HIV-infected adults to stay on track with their HIV medicines and to do so with more privacy.
It’s a major change from not long ago, when patients had to take multiple pills several times a day, carefully timed around meals. “Currently, the standard of care for patients with HIV includes patients taking daily pills to adequately manage their condition.