Long-acting HIV injections are working — and patients are sticking with them. A 5-year real-world study of nearly 7,000 people found that 77% who switched from daily oral HIV therapy to bimonthly cabotegravir/rilpivirine injections stayed on the regimen, with 94% virally suppressed at study's end. Virologic failure was rare, occurring in just 1% of participants.
Long-acting HIV injections are working — and patients are sticking with them. A large 5-year real-world study from the OPERA cohort — representing about 14% of all people with HIV in the U.S. — found that most patients who switched from daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) to bimonthly cabotegravir/rilpivirine injections (Cabenuva) stayed on the regimen and maintained strong viral suppression. The findings were presented at IDWeek 2026 in Washington.
Supporting evidence also comes from a separate South African study of 134 young people (ages 12–24) with HIV, where 95.5% achieved viral suppression at week 48 on the same injectable regimen — and every participant who completed the study chose to continue the injections.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Despite being FDA-approved since 2021, long-acting injectable ART accounts for just 5% of HIV prescriptions nationally. These real-world results could boost provider confidence and patient uptake — a critical step toward making injectables a mainstream HIV treatment option.
