A PrEP injection in Bangkok usually means long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA, brand name Apretude): an injection into the buttock every two months instead of a daily pill. It suits some people very well, but it needs regular HIV tests and a firm commitment to appointments.
Interest in the HIV PrEP jab has grown since the World Health Organization recommended it in 2022. Below you’ll find how it works, who it fits, what each visit involves and how it compares with tablets, so you can decide whether to raise it with a doctor.
Availability changes from clinic to clinic, so ask us whether we can provide it before you plan around it.
How cabotegravir PrEP works
Cabotegravir belongs to a class of HIV medicines called integrase inhibitors. Given as a deep muscle injection, it forms a small depot that releases the drug slowly, keeping protective levels in your blood for weeks at a time.
That’s the main difference from oral PrEP, which relies on tenofovir and emtricitabine tablets taken every day or on the eligible 2-1-1 schedule. With the HIV prep shot, there is nothing to remember between appointments, as long as each one happens on time.
Large trials found cabotegravir highly effective in cisgender women, cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women. Oral PrEP remains highly effective too when taken as prescribed; our page on how well PrEP protects you explains the figures.
The injection schedule step by step
According to the WHO recommendation on long-acting cabotegravir, the first two injections are given four weeks apart, then one injection every eight weeks.
Cabotegravir visits over the first year
| Visit | Timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| First injection | Start date | Tests, then injection |
| Second injection | About 1 month later | HIV test, then injection |
| Ongoing injections | Every 2 months | HIV test, check-in, injection |
| Yearly review | Once a year | Wider sexual health check |
Each appointment has a window of a few days either side. If you know you’ll be travelling, tell your doctor early so the dates can be planned around your trip.
Tests before every injection
An HIV test comes before each injection, not just the first one. If HIV were missed while cabotegravir was in your body, the virus could become resistant to an important group of treatment drugs.
Where it’s available, some services add an HIV RNA (viral load) test, which can pick up a very recent infection sooner than standard tests. Your doctor will explain which tests are used and why.
- HIV test before each dose;
- STI screening at regular intervals, because no form of PrEP protects against other infections;
- a pregnancy test where relevant.
Kidney tests matter less than with tablets, because cabotegravir isn’t cleared mainly through the kidneys. You can read more about routine checks in our guide to what PrEP tests involve, and about other infections in PrEP and STIs explained.
Pills or injection: which fits you
Neither option is better for everyone; the right one depends on your routine, your budget and how easily you can keep appointments.
The injection tends to appeal to people who find daily pills hard to remember, have kidney concerns or prefer privacy at home. Tablets suit people who travel unpredictably, want lower costs or want flexible dosing.
The injection may be less suitable if you can’t commit to a visit every eight weeks, if you’re nervous about a medicine that lingers after stopping, or if cost is a stretch. Some people start on tablets, settle into a routine, then switch later; others move the other way when life gets busier. Either route is reasonable, and you can change your mind with your doctor’s help.
Oral PrEP vs the cabotegravir injection
| Feature | Oral PrEP (TDF/FTC) | Cabotegravir injection |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Daily, or 2-1-1 if eligible | Every 2 months after loading |
| Clinic visits | About every 3 months | Every 2 months |
| Main side effects | Mild stomach upset early on | Sore injection site |
| Approximate cost | Lower | Much higher |
| Stopping | Simple, timed to last sex | Long drug tail to cover |
The 2-1-1 schedule only applies to cis men who have sex with men and trans women not taking estradiol, never to vaginal or front-hole sex, and never with hepatitis B. If you take hormones, see PrEP alongside gender-affirming hormones.
Side effects and stopping safely
The most common side effect is an injection-site reaction: soreness, a small lump or warmth in the buttock for a day or two. Some people also notice headache, tiredness or mild fever after a dose, which usually settles quickly.
Women often ask about side effects specifically. The trial data didn’t show a different pattern for women, and our page on PrEP choices for women covers pregnancy and contraception questions.
Stopping needs a plan. Cabotegravir leaves the body very slowly, and low levels can linger for many months after the last injection. During that tail, the drug may be too low to protect you but still present, so:
- HIV testing usually continues for a while after you stop;
- your doctor may suggest oral PrEP to cover the tail if you still have risk;
- a late injection should be discussed promptly rather than simply skipped.
Getting a PrEP injection in Bangkok
A handful of private services in Bangkok now list cabotegravir PrEP. Supply and price vary, so treat any plan as provisional until a clinic confirms it.
Market listings for an HIV PrEP injection in Bangkok are roughly 15,000–20,000 THB per injection, with some higher (approximate, checked October 2026). Over a year that is far more than tablets; compare with our guide to PrEP prices in Thailand and the options in generic PrEP medicines explained.
If you’re interested in injectable PrEP in Thailand, message us first and we’ll tell you what’s possible, including whether we can arrange cabotegravir and the full price before anything starts. If you’re still unsure PrEP fits you, try the one-minute PrEP self-check.
You may also have read about a twice-yearly injection. That is lenacapavir, a different medicine; see lenacapavir and its status in Thailand.
Had condomless sex in the last 72 hours? You need PEP, not PrEP, and it should start as soon as possible. Contact us about urgent PEP.
Questions people ask
Is there a PrEP injection?
Yes. Cabotegravir is given every two months after two starting doses a month apart. Lenacapavir, given twice a year, is a newer option with more limited availability.
Is the PrEP shot more effective than the pill?
In trials, the injection prevented more infections, mainly because it removes the problem of missed pills. For people who take tablets reliably, both offer very high protection.
Can I get injectable PrEP in Bangkok?
Some private services list injectable PrEP in Bangkok. Ask us whether we can provide it before you plan your schedule around it.
What are the side effects of Apretude?
Mostly soreness or a lump where the injection went in, plus occasional headache, fever or tiredness. These usually fade within a few days.
How much does a PrEP injection cost in Thailand?
Private listings are roughly 15,000–20,000 THB per injection, sometimes more (approximate, checked October 2026). Because injections come every two months, the yearly total is far higher than for generic tablets.
What happens if I’m late for an HIV prep injection?
Contact the clinic as soon as you can. Depending on how late you are, you may need an extra test, a restart of the schedule or oral PrEP in the meantime.
Written by the HIV PrEP Bangkok team, based on WHO and CDC guidance. Last updated 2 October 2026.