NPs safely prescribing long-acting HIV medications

In late 2021, 38.4 million people were living with HIV worldwide. The highest rate of diagnosis of HIV infection in the US as of 2019 was among Black adults and adolescents. Half of the 1.1 million people infected with HIV in the US are not receiving treatment. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been highly effective in improving life expectancy for patients. However, poor adherence to treatment can cause viral rebound, drug resistance, and HIV treatment failure. Inaccessibility and insuffi cient commitment to oral combination ART caused 10 in 100,000 HIV-related deaths worldwide. People living with HIV who adhere to their prescribed ART may be able to reach and maintain viral suppression to reduce the risk of secondary transmission and increase their CD4 T cell count. Individuals with medium and high levels of adherence to ART were more likely to report achieving viral suppression than those with low adherence. Medication adherence for chronic diseases can improve health outcomes and reduce mortality of chronic conditions. Ongoing research has focused on reducing adverse reactions and increasing medication adherence and treatment simplicity of HIV medications. The FDA approved the fi rst extended-release [ER] injectable medication for HIV-1 in January 2021—Cabenuva (cabotegravir [CAB] ER injectable suspension; rilpivirine [RPV] ER injectable suspension), copackaged for I.M. use. Cabenuva will hereafter be referred to as injectable ER CAB;RPV in this article. This article emphasizes how NPs can safely and effectively prescribe the new injectable regimen.