HIV injections work better than tablets for young people, clinical trial finds
Young people living with HIV manage their condition better when their antiretroviral therapy is given by injections every eight weeks rather than daily tablets, according to results of a trial in Africa led by UCL (University College London) researchers.
A clinical trial conducted in Africa has found that long-acting HIV injections are more effective than daily antiretroviral tablets for young people living with the virus. Led by UCL researchers, the LATA trial involved 476 adolescents aged 12-19, who were randomly assigned to receive either daily tablets or long-acting injectables (cabotegravir and rilpivirine) every eight weeks.
After nearly two years, only 1% of the injectable group experienced a viral rebound (compared to 6% in the tablet group), indicating that the injections were more effective at keeping the virus suppressed. Adolescents preferred the injections, finding them much easier than daily medications. However, the injectables are more expensive, require refrigeration, and necessitate skilled nursing staff for administration, limiting their availability in lower-resource settings.
Despite these challenges, the trial highlights the potential of injectables as a more accessible and convenient option for young people with HIV, particularly in Africa where they currently face limited access to such treatments.
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