Key takeaways

  • More common side effects of Yeztugo include injection site reactions, headache, and nausea.
  • Yeztugo has a boxed warning about the risk of drug resistance when used in people with undiagnosed HIV.
  • If side effects from Yeztugo become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Yeztugo is prescribed as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in adults and certain adolescents. Learn more about the drug’s side effects and warnings.

Yeztugo has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Warnings for Yeztugo” section.

Side effects reported with Yeztugo include:

  • injection site reactions
  • headache
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you develop serious side effects during treatment with Yeztugo, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

This list may not include all side effects of Yeztugo. See the drug’s prescribing information for more information.

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

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Not really, but with one exception: injection site reactions. Yeztugo’s studies didn’t look at side effect differences between the injection and oral tablet form of the drug.

But, injection site reactions only occur with the injection form of Yeztugo. The oral tablet form of the drug is taken by mouth, so there would not be a risk of injection site reactions with the oral tablet.

Injection site reactions may be mild or serious. Examples of mild injection site reactions include pain, swelling, itching, warmth, bruising, discoloration, or a hard lump at the injection site. Examples of serious injection site reactions include open sores or skin damage.

Talk with your doctor about which form of Yeztugo is best for you.

How to lessen injection site pain

If you experience pain from a Yeztugo injection, you may want to try:

  • Applying a warm or cool compress to the injection site.
  • Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

This section describes the warnings and precautions for Yeztugo.

Boxed warning: Risk of drug resistance when used in people with undiagnosed HIV

Yeztugo has a boxed warning about the risk of drug resistance when used in people with undiagnosed HIV. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If Yeztugo is used for PrEP in someone who doesn’t know they have HIV, it may cause drug resistance. 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 and before each injection of Yeztugo. They will only give you Yeztugo if your test comes back negative for HIV.

Talk with your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of HIV, such as fatigue, muscle aches, or skin rash, while receiving Yeztugo for PrEP.

Other warnings

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

Like most drugs, Yeztugo can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. If you have questions or concerns about side effects of Yeztugo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.