Study: Most who switch to long-acting HIV therapy stick with it
A five-year real-world study presented at IDWeek shows that most patients successfully transition from daily oral HIV medication to long-acting injectable treatments. The findings aim to reassure healthcare providers about the efficacy and patient adherence associated with the injectable regimen.
Why it matters
Long-acting HIV treatments offer a significant quality-of-life improvement for patients, and this data helps overcome clinical hesitation regarding their adoption.
WASHINGTON — A large real-world study of people who switched from daily oral therapy to long-acting injections for HIV treatment showed that most stuck with the long-acting regimen and few experienced virologic failure.
The results could help alleviate providers’ concerns about the perceived challenges of remaining on a long-acting regimen for HIV, according to Ricky Hsu, MD , medical director at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Healthcare Center in New York.
Data derived from Hsu R, et al. High suppression and rare virologic failure with long-acting cabotegravir + rilpivirine: real world evidence over five years from the OPERA cohort. Presented at: IDWeek; Oct. 21-24, 2026; Washington. Hsu summarized the 5-year study for reporters before it was presented at IDWeek. He said he has heard from providers who are interested in the long-acting regimen but concerned about prescribing it for patients who are already being successfully treated with daily oral regimens.
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