Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release) Patient Assistance Program

Don’t let the high cost of brand long-acting HIV PrEP injection disrupt your HIV prevention. We help eligible individuals access Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release IM injection) for as little as $69.95 per month through the manufacturer’s Patient Assistance Program.

Key ​Takeaways:

What is Apretude Prescription Assistance Program?

The Apretude Patient Assistance Program helps eligible individuals access this long-acting injectable PrEP at little or no cost when meeting income, insurance, and clinical criteria. Under ACA, most privately insured have PrEP coverage without cost-sharing.

At AffordMyPrescriptions, our Patient Advocates handle the entire Apretude PAP enrollment for a flat $69.95 per month — so you never face a gap in your HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

AffordMyPrescriptions eliminates that burden. For a flat $69.95 per month, our Patient Advocates handle every step of your Apretude enrollment — so you never face a gap in your long-acting HIV PrEP injections.

Pharmacy Price Comparison

PHARMACYPRICE (30-DAY) WITH BEST COUPONSYOU SAVE W/ US
Ready, Set, PrEP$0 uninsuredFederal PrEP for uninsured
Specialty pharmacy~$22,000/yrSave substantially
HIV clinic~$23,000/yrSave substantially
340B-eligible institution~$18,000/yrSave substantially
ACA private insurance$0Covered without cost-share
Generic Truvada (daily oral)~$40/moVery cheap daily oral alt

*Retail prices are estimates based on public data and vary by pharmacy. Coupon prices from GoodRx and SingleCare as of April 2026. AffordMyPrescriptions Advocacy Service bypasses pharmacy pricing entirely by using the manufacturer’s assistance program to secure your Apretude — independent of dosage or retail price.

Our Pricing:

$69.95 Per month

1 Medications

$79.95 Per Month

2 Medications

$89.95 Per Month

3 Medications

$99.95 Per Month

4+ Medications

Why choose us For Your Apretude Prescription Program?

The Apretude Patient Assistance Program is free to apply. Our $69.95 per month covers full advocacy. Under ACA, PrEP and associated services (HIV testing, STI screening, counseling) are covered without cost-sharing for privately insured — verify coverage. The Ready, Set, PrEP federal program provides PrEP for uninsured. Generic Truvada is a very cheap daily oral PrEP alternative.

Enroll

Complete a simple eligibility form so our team can determine if you may qualify for Apretude assistance.

We Advocate

Our specialists gather documentation, complete applications, and coordinate with your prescriber and the assistance program.

Receive Medication

Once approved, your Apretude is delivered through the assistance program while we manage refills and annual renewals.

Discount Coupons vs. Patient Assistance Programs

Many patients try discount cards first. Here’s why the Patient Assistance Program through AffordMyPrescriptions is the better long-term solution for Apretude:

Limitations of Coupons

  • Prices fluctuate — savings aren’t guaranteed month-to-month

  • Copay accumulators may prevent savings from counting toward your deductible

  • Coupon cards expire and require constant renewal

  • Still ~$22,000/yr even with the best discount

  • Cannot be used with Medicare, Medicaid, or government insurance

Advantages of PAP Through Us

  • Fixed $69.95/month — never changes regardless of retail price

  • No expiration — continuous access as long as you qualify
  • Medication supplied directly through the assistance program

  • We manage all paperwork, refills, and annual renewals

  • Medicare Part D patients accepted

  • If denied, we explore alternative savings paths on your behalf

DO YOU QUALIFY?

Eligibility is generally determined by annual household income and insurance status. Most programs follow guidelines that include limits of up to $40,000 for individuals, $60,000 for couples, and $100,000 for larger families. Because requirements vary by program and household, we encourage you to contact AffordMyPrescriptions directly so we can review your specific situation and determine if you qualify for Apretude assistance.

Understanding Apretude:

Apretude is the first long-acting injectable HIV PrEP — cabotegravir INSTI given IM every 2 months after loading. Adherence-independent HIV prevention for individuals preferring injections over daily pill-taking. Now joined by Yeztugo (lenacapavir every 6 months SC) for even longer-interval PrEP.


How It Works:

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV acquisition in HIV-negative individuals at risk. Highly effective when adherent — CDC recommends PrEP as a major public health strategy to end the HIV epidemic. Daily oral PrEP requires daily pill-taking; long-acting injectable PrEP enables adherence-independent protection. Cabotegravir is an HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) — blocking integration of HIV DNA into the host cell chromosome. The long-acting formulation releases from an IM depot for every-2-month dosing after loading. HPTN 083 and 084 trials demonstrated superiority of long-acting cabotegravir PrEP to daily oral Truvada in trial populations.

Form and Use:

Apretude 600 mg (3 mL) IM injection in the gluteus. Loading regimen — option A: one injection at month 1 and one at month 2, then every 2 months; option B: oral cabotegravir daily for 4 weeks lead-in, then one injection at month 1, then every 2 months. Given at an HIV clinic. Requires confirmed HIV-negative status at each visit.

Generic Availability:

No generic Apretude. Other PrEP options: Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF — generic — very cheap daily oral), Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide — brand daily oral; better bone/renal profile), Yeztugo (lenacapavir long-acting SC every 6 months — brand; different mechanism, longest interval). Cabotegravir is also a component of Cabenuva (cabotegravir + rilpivirine long-acting IM for HIV treatment). Under ACA, PrEP is covered without cost-sharing for privately insured. Ready, Set, PrEP federal program for uninsured. State ADAP/PrEP-DAP programs. HIV.gov and CDC resources.

Warnings:

Confirmed HIV-negative status required before initiation and each injection (undiagnosed HIV during PrEP risks INSTI resistance), injection site reactions (pain, swelling, nodules lasting weeks), long pharmacological tail (many months after last injection — implications for missed doses and drug interactions), immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (if HIV present at start), hepatotoxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, embryo-fetal considerations, drug interactions. Other: headache, fever, fatigue, nausea. Rifamycins contraindicated (rifampin — strong inducer). Coordinate with HIV provider.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How much does Apretude cost without insurance?

$22,000+ per year (~$1,800/month) at specialty pharmacies. Generic Truvada (daily oral PrEP alternative) costs $40/month. Under ACA, PrEP is covered without cost-sharing for privately insured — verify with insurance. Ready, Set, PrEP federal program provides PrEP for uninsured.

Oral PrEP (Truvada generic, Descovy) requires daily pill-taking — adherence is crucial. Apretude is IM injection every 2 months after loading — adherence-independent HIV prevention with only 6 medical visits per year for maintenance. HPTN 083 and 084 trials demonstrated superiority to daily oral Truvada in trial populations.

Both are long-acting injectable PrEP. Apretude: IM every 2 months. Yeztugo: SC every 6 months — longest interval PrEP, only 2 medical visits per year. Discuss options with your HIV provider — both provide adherence-independent HIV prevention.

Yes — confirmed HIV-negative status is required before initiation and at EACH injection visit. Undiagnosed HIV during PrEP risks INSTI resistance. HIV testing is a standard part of PrEP care, along with STI screening and sexual health counseling per CDC guidelines.

No — Apretude prevents HIV but does not prevent other STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis, HPV). Condoms and regular STI testing remain important. Apretude is one part of a comprehensive sexual health strategy.

Take Control of Your Medication Costs

Long-acting injectable HIV PrEP transforms adherence and prevention. Our advocacy team is ready — $69.95 per month, or free if we cannot help.

Submit Enrollment Form

Start free by filling out a simple online form.

Receive Welcome Call

Our specialist will contact you for a quick welcome call.

We Manage The Process

Our team handles everything, so you can focus on your health.

Receive Welcome Call

We Manage The Process