CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A new study on HIV treatment has reported positive results for long-interval injections. The LATA study, led by University College London (UCL), found that cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections given every eight weeks were more effective in keeping the virus suppressed in adolescents living with HIV than daily antiretroviral pills.
The study included 476 adolescents aged 12 to 19. One group received cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections every eight weeks, while the other group took daily tablets of tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir. During about 96 weeks of follow-up, the virus rebounded in only 2 participants (1%) in the injection group, compared with 15 participants (6%) in the daily-pill group.
Around 94% of participants in the study said taking an injection every eight weeks felt easier than taking medicine every day. However, pain or other mild reactions at the injection site were common, and most resolved within a few days.
According to experts, adolescents may face challenges such as forgetting daily medication, social pressure and stigma linked to HIV. Long-acting treatment can help reduce these problems. However, doctors decide whether an injection or a pill-based treatment is suitable for a person according to the patient’s condition.
It is important to note that this study is based on treatment for adolescents living with HIV. PrEP, used for HIV prevention, is a separate medical regimen, and long-acting injections are also available for it.
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