HIV injections keep virus suppressed better than daily pills: Study
A new clinical trial has found that long-acting HIV injections given every eight weeks may keep the virus suppressed more effectively among adolescents than daily antiretroviral tablets.
Published in The Lancet, the study found that only two adolescents, or 1 per cent, receiving the injectable treatment experienced confirmed viral rebound after 96 weeks. This compared with 15 adolescents, or 6 per cent, among those taking daily tablets.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryWHAT DID THE STUDY FIND?The LATA (Long-Acting Treatment in Adolescents) trial involved 476 adolescents aged 12 to 19 across five clinics in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Participants were randomly assigned to either standard daily tablet treatment or injections containing the long-acting HIV medicines cabotegravir and rilpivirine.
All participants had already been taking tablet treatment for more than a year, had fully suppressed HIV and had no previous treatment failure. Almost all had acquired HIV at birth.
Viral rebound refers to an increase in the amount of HIV in the blood after the virus has been suppressed. Researchers noted that rising viral loads can affect long-term health and may increase the risk of transmission.A TREATMENT MANY ADOLESCENTS PREFERRED
The study also found that 94 per cent of adolescents in the injectable group said receiving treatment every eight weeks was much easier than taking medicines every day. Researchers noted that daily pills can be challenging for young people because of bullying and stigma associated with HIV treatment.
Professor Sarah Pett of University College London said long-acting injections taken every two months could help young people lead a more normal life. She also noted that the benefits seen among adolescents were stronger than those previously observed in adult trials.ACCESS REMAINS A MAJOR CHALLENGE
Researchers said wider access to the injections, particularly in Africa and other lower-resource settings, faces several challenges. The medicines are more expensive than standard tablets, remain under patent and cost more to manufacture. Rilpivirine also requires refrigeration, while trained nursing staff are needed to administer the injections every eight weeks.
Around 1.6 million adolescents aged 10 to 19 are living with HIV. While there is currently no cure, antiretroviral treatment can help people live long, healthy lives and substantially reduce the risk of transmission.
The World Health Organisation currently recommends long-acting injectables as an alternative for adults and adolescents who have successfully suppressed HIV and do not have active hepatitis B.
Researchers said limited availability in Africa could widen existing inequalities in HIV care, particularly as newer injectable treatments requiring only twice-yearly dosing are being studied.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 15:46 IST
