Yeztugo Overview: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, and More

Uses for Yeztugo

Yeztugo is FDA-approved PrEP to help reduce the risk of HIV in adults and adolescents weigh at least 35 kg. PrEP is a type of preventive treatment for people who don’t have HIV but are at risk of getting HIV through sexual contact.

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making it harder to fight infections over time. It may cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rash.

Yeztugo is only meant for people who are HIV-negative, meaning they do not have HIV. Before starting Yeztugo and regularly during treatment, your doctor will test you for HIV.

Yeztugo works to help prevent HIV infection by targeting the protective shell (called the capsid) of the HIV virus. The capsid is needed for the virus to make new copies of itself. By interfering with this process, Yeztugo prevents the virus from replicating and establishing infection.

Yeztugo can greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk. It works best as part of a complete prevention plan that includes getting injections on schedule and practicing safer sex, such as using condoms. Condoms also help protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Note that if you stop getting Yeztugo injections, its protective effects go away over time. Talk with your doctor about restarting Yeztugo treatment or starting another form of PrEP within 28 weeks after your last Yeztugo injection.

Side effects of Yeztugo

Like most drugs, Yeztugo may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Yeztugo may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Yeztugo. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Yeztugo and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Yeztugo can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Yeztugo’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Yeztugo that have been reported include:

• mild injection site reactions, such as pain, swelling, itching, warmth, bruising, discoloration, or a hard lump at the injection site
• headache
• nausea

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Yeztugo can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Yeztugo, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Yeztugo that have been reported include:

• serious injection site reactions, such as skin damage or open sores (if the drug is not injected properly)
• boxed warning: risk of drug resistance when used in people with undiagnosed HIV

For more information about side effects related to boxed warnings, see the “Yeztugo precautions” section.

Side effects in children

The possible side effects of Yeztugo are similar in adolescents and adults.

Yeztugo is FDA-approved for adolescents who weigh 35 kg or more. This is at least 77 lb. It isn’t known whether Yeztugo is safe for children who weigh less than this.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Yeztugo can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Yeztugo treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Yeztugo, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Yeztugo dosage

The Yeztugo dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on various factors, such as other medications you may take.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Forms and strengths

Yeztugo comes in two forms. It’s available as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin by a healthcare professional. The liquid solution for injection comes in vials. Each vial contains 463.5 milligrams (mg) of the drug in 1.5 milliliters (mL) of solution.

Yeztugo is also available as an oral tablet that comes in one strength of 300 mg.

Recommended dosage

The information below describes the recommended dosage of Yeztugo for PrEP in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kilograms (77 pounds).

Dosage for PrEP

Yeztugo treatment begins with two days of initial (starting) doses. Then, 26 weeks later, you’ll start maintenance treatment. This consists of one dose (given as two injections) every 6 months.

The table below shows the recommended dosing schedule for Yeztugo for PrEP.

Maintenance doses are usually given 26 weeks apart. These doses can be given up to 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late, if necessary.

If you take certain other medications, your doctor may prescribe a different Yeztugo dosage schedule for you.

It’s important to keep your appointments for Yeztugo injections. Contact your doctor’s office if you’ll miss an appointment or need to change your injection date.

How Yeztugo injections are given

Yeztugo comes a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. Yeztugo injections are administered by a healthcare professional at a clinical or doctor’s office. The injection will be given in your abdomen or thigh.

You won’t give yourself injections of Yeztugo at home.

About using Yeztugo

The following are some common questions about using Yeztugo.

• Can Yeztugo be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should not crush or split Yeztugo tablets. You should swallow them whole. If you have trouble doing so, you can get tips on how to swallow pills, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Should I take Yeztugo tablets with food? Yeztugo tablets can be taken with or without food.
• Is there a best time of day to take Yeztugo? The timing of your Yeztugo dose can be at any time of day. The most important thing is to follow the treatment schedule exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body, which helps Yeztugo work effectively.
• Will I need to use Yeztugo long term? Yeztugo is typically used as part of a long-term plan to help prevent HIV in certain people who are at risk of getting HIV through sex. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely continue receiving Yeztugo long term.
• How long does Yeztugo take to work? Yeztugo can greatly reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex, but it’s not known how long it takes after starting Yeztugo for it to provide full protection. To help protect yourself, it’s important to keep using condoms and get tested for HIV regularly as directed by your doctor.
• What if I miss a dose of Yeztugo? If you miss a dose of Yeztugo, the next steps depend on when you missed it or think you’ll miss it:
  • Missed Day 2 dose: If you forget your Day 2 dose (two tablets), take them as soon as you remember.
  • Missed maintenance injection: If you miss an appointment to receive Yeztugo injections, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule as soon as possible. You may be able to receive your dose up to 2 weeks late. Then your next injection appointment will be scheduled 26 weeks from the date of your most recent injection.
  • If your next injection will be more than 2 weeks late: Your doctor may tell you to take one Yeztugo tablet (300 mg) once a week until you can get your next injection. This can be done for up to 6 months, if needed. Once you restart injections, get the next one within 7 days of your last tablet dose.
  • If it’s been more than 28 weeks since your last injection: If you miss a scheduled injection and do not take a weekly tablet, your doctor may have you restart Yeztugo treatment. This will consist of two days of initial doses (including injections and tablets) before returning to maintenance schedule of one dose every 6 months.
  • If you’re not sure what to do about missing a dose of Yeztugo, call your doctor’s office. They will guide you on the next steps.

What to do in case of overdose

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Yeztugo. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Yeztugo interactions

Yeztugo can interact with several other medications. It may also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. Keep in mind that Yeztugo is a long-acting drug and can interact with certain other medications even if you start these other medications 9 months after your last dose of Yeztugo.

Before taking Yeztugo, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information before, during, and after Yeztugo treatment can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

The following table highlights medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Yeztugo. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Yeztugo. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Yeztugo and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Yeztugo.

Talk with your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol during Yeztugo treatment.

Yeztugo cost and savings

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Yeztugo. What you’ll pay for Yeztugo may depend on several things, such as your location, treatment plan, and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A savings program called Gilead Advancing Access may also be available.

Factors to consider when taking Yeztugo

The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking or using Yeztugo.

Pregnancy and Yeztugo

It’s not known whether Yeztugo is safe to use during pregnancy. It’s important to know that this drug can stay in your body for 12 months or longer after your last dose. If you have questions about receiving Yeztugo during pregnancy or planning a future pregnancy, talk with your doctor.

If you receive Yeztugo during pregnancy, consider enrolling in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. This registry collects information about the safety of certain HIV medications, such as Yeztugo, during pregnancy. For more information, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the registry’s website or call 800-258-4263.

Birth control and Yeztugo

It’s not known whether Yeztugo is safe to take during pregnancy. Therefore, if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control options while you’re receiving Yeztugo.

Note: The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

Yeztugo and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Yeztugo should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting Yeztugo.

Yeztugo precautions

This section describes the warnings and precautions for Yeztugo.

FDA warning: risk of drug resistance when used in people with undiagnosed HIV

Yeztugo has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Yeztugo may cause drug resistance if it’s used for PrEP in someone who already has HIV but doesn’t know it. When HIV becomes resistant, medications used to treat it may not work effectively.

Because of this risk, your doctor will test you for HIV before you start Yeztugo treatment for PrEP. They’ll also test you for HIV before each Yeztugo injection. They will only give you Yeztugo if your test comes back negative (meaning that you do not have HIV).

If your test comes back positive, your doctor will recommend a treatment for HIV. Yeztugo is not used to treat HIV, but another drug called Sunlenca contains the same active ingredient (lenacapavir) and is used for HIV treatment.

To help prevent drug resistance, Yeztugo should not be taken by people who have HIV or do not know their HIV status.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of HIV while receiving Yeztugo for PrEP. Possible symptoms are:

• fever or chills
• fatigue
• muscle aches
• skin rash

Other precautions

Before taking Yeztugo, discuss your health history with your doctor. Yeztugo may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• HIV-positive or unknown HIV status
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Yeztugo, see the “Side effects of Yeztugo” section.

Similar drugs

Yeztugo is prescribed for PrEP. Other drugs are available that can be used for this purpose. Options for PrEP that are recommended by the CDC include:

• Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)
• Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide)
• Apretude (cabotegravir)

If you’d like to explore an alternative to Yeztugo, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.