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Overview: Yeztugo is used to help prevent you from getting HIV, which is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is used along with safer sex strategies, such as condoms. After starting Yeztugo with a combination of tablets taken by mouth and injections, Yeztugo is injected under the skin every 6 months by a health care provider. Common side effects include headache, nausea, and a bump, skin hardening, pain, itching, or redness near the injection site. You must have a negative test for HIV before starting Yeztugo and before each injection.

Uses

What is Yeztugo used for?

Yeztugo (lenacapavir) is commonly used to help lower your risk of getting HIV through sex, also called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Learn more about how Yeztugo works to prevent HIV.

Yeztugo may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Yeztugo work (mechanism of action)?

Yeztugo is a type of HIV medicine called a capsid inhibitor. It works by binding to the HIV capsid, which is a protein shell. This protein shell protects important enzymes and genetic material that HIV needs to replicate. By disrupting the capsid, Yeztugo helps prevent the virus from making copies of itself. This helps lower the chances of getting HIV.

How is Yeztugo supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Yeztugo

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 300 mg oral tablets

Yeztugo is also available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

See also: Sunlenca

How should I store Yeztugo?

Oral Tablet. Yeztugo tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). They can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting them. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep them in the original container with the bottle tightly closed. Do not remove the drying packet (desiccant) from the bottle.

Injection Liquid. Yeztugo injections are usually given by a health care provider in a clinic, pharmacy, or hospital. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Yeztugo?

The most common side effects of Yeztugo are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • A bump, skin hardening, pain, itching, swelling, bruising, or redness near the injection site
  • Headache
  • Nausea

There may be other side effects of Yeztugo that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Yeztugo?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Yeztugo are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Yeztugo may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Yeztugo and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Yeztugo?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Yeztugo.

  • Lenacapavir
  • Yeztugo
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Yeztugo.

Positive or Unknown HIV Status. Yeztugo should not be used if you already have HIV or do not know if you have HIV. Yeztugo is used to prevent HIV. If you have HIV, Yeztugo may cause the virus to become resistant to the medicine, which may make it harder to treat. You should be tested for HIV before starting Yeztugo and before each injection. 

What should I know about Yeztugo before using it?

Yeztugo comes as a tablet that you take by mouth and as an injection given under the skin. You will usually start Yeztugo by having it injected by your health care provider along with taking the tablets as directed. After that, you can get Yeztugo injections every 6 months by a health care provider in a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy. 

Do not use Yeztugo unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. 

Do not share Yeztugo with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Yeztugo out of the reach of children.

It is very important to keep all appointments to get your Yeztugo doses. Getting your doses on time helps lower your risk of getting HIV. 

Keep all appointments for HIV tests. If you get HIV before, during, or after using Yeztugo, there is a risk of the virus becoming resistant to the medicine, which means it may be harder to treat. Yeztugo alone is not approved to treat HIV. Routine HIV testing can help catch an infection early and limit resistance. 

Tell your health care provider right away if you test positive for HIV while using Yeztugo. Also tell your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of HIV, such as a fever, tiredness, joint or muscle aches, vomiting or diarrhea, night sweats, or a rash. 

Yeztugo should be used along with other steps to prevent HIV, including safer sex methods (such as condoms). Ask your sexual partners if they have HIV or are taking HIV medicines. You should also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as recommended by your health care provider. Yeztugo does not prevent other STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. 

Some people may get a bump or hardened skin in the spot where Yeztugo was injected. This may last longer than other reactions at the injection site. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any serious reactions where the medicine was injected, such as an open sore, broken skin, or skin damage. 

Yeztugo may stay in your body for up to 12 months or longer after your last injection. This means it may interact with certain medicines or supplements for up to 9 months even after you stop using Yeztugo. Tell all of your health care providers that you have used Yeztugo and about all other medicines you take.

If you stop using Yeztugo, you may need to switch to a different medicine to prevent HIV. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Yeztugo?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Yeztugo is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • HIV or think you were exposed to HIV
  • Flu symptoms (such as fever, night sweats, headache, sore throat, aches, or tiredness) now or in the last month before starting Yeztugo

Other Medicines and Supplements. Yeztugo may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Yeztugo, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Yeztugo while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant during or after using Yeztugo, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263 or at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Yeztugo passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Yeztugo while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Yeztugo?

For more information about Yeztugo, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.yeztugo.com or call them at 800-445-3235.

Interactions

Does Yeztugo interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Yeztugo and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Yeztugo. Drinking too much alcohol might affect your ability to follow safer sex practices or lead to more risky sexual situations.

Does Yeztugo interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Yeztugo.

  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), phenobarbital, or primidone, which is a medicine to treat seizures 
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis   
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Yeztugo, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take, have recently taken, or plan to take.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Yeztugo. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Yeztugo?

If you or someone else has used too much Yeztugo, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Yeztugo?

Missing doses of Yeztugo can cause it to not work as well and may increase your risk of getting HIV. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. Plan ahead and let your health care provider know if you think you may not be able to get your injection on time. 

Injection Liquid. Yeztugo injections are usually given by a health care provider in a clinic, pharmacy, or hospital. If you miss an appointment to get your Yeztugo injection, call to make another appointment as soon as possible. 

If you think you might miss an injection of Yeztugo by more than 2 weeks, contact your health care provider right away. You may be able to take Yeztugo tablets until you can get your injection.

Oral Tablet. If you miss a dose of Yeztugo oral tablet, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take double or extra doses.

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