As of October 2026, lenacapavir in Thailand is not approved for general use: the twice-yearly PrEP injection is under regulatory review, and a public pilot at a small number of sites is being prepared.
Lenacapavir, sold in the US as Yeztugo, is the first PrEP option you only need twice a year. It has strong trial results and backing from the WHO. This page explains how it works, what the evidence shows, where things stand locally, and what you can use in the meantime.
What lenacapavir is and how it is given
Lenacapavir belongs to a newer class of HIV medicines called capsid inhibitors. It blocks the protein shell that HIV needs to copy itself. Because the body clears it very slowly, a single dose keeps working for months.
- It is given as two injections under the skin, usually in the abdomen, once every six months.
- The starting course also includes tablets on the first two days.
- A negative HIV test is needed before each injection.
For people who find daily pills hard, Yeztugo PrEP removes most of the day-to-day effort. That is its main appeal: HIV PrEP twice a year rather than 365 tablets.
It may particularly suit people who travel often, work irregular shifts or would rather not keep tablets at home. Lenacapavir is also used to treat HIV, but that is a different product and schedule, always combined with other medicines.
What the trials found
Two large studies, PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2, compared lenacapavir PrEP with daily oral tablets. Both reported exceptionally low infection rates. Thailand was one of the countries that took part in PURPOSE 2.
PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 at a glance
| Point | PURPOSE 1 | PURPOSE 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Who took part | Cisgender women in southern Africa | Cisgender men and gender-diverse people |
| HIV infections on lenacapavir | None in the main analysis | Two in the main analysis |
| Headline result | No infections in the lenacapavir group | About 96% lower than background incidence |
| Common side effect | Lumps or soreness at the injection site | Lumps or soreness at the injection site |
i-Base has a clear write-up of the PURPOSE 2 results in gay men, trans and gender-diverse people. Like every PrEP option, it is highly effective rather than perfect, which is why HIV testing continues alongside it.
Lenacapavir side effects to know about
Most side effects happen where the injection goes in. Small firm lumps under the skin were common in the trials and can last for weeks. Pain, swelling and redness were also reported. A minority of trial participants stopped because of the lumps.
Headaches and nausea were reported too, at rates similar to people taking oral PrEP. Because the medicine lingers for many months, stopping needs a plan: drug levels fall slowly, and a doctor will usually suggest another form of PrEP to cover that tail if your risk continues. Some other medicines can change lenacapavir levels, so a full medicines list is part of any prescription.
Approvals so far
The US Food and Drug Administration approved lenacapavir for PrEP in June 2025. A month later, in July 2025, the WHO issued guidance recommending injectable lenacapavir as an additional PrEP option. Several other regulators have since followed.
WHO also suggested simpler HIV testing with rapid tests for long-acting PrEP, which matters for countries planning to offer it at scale.
Approval in one country does not carry over to another. Each national regulator reviews the evidence and the manufacturer’s application separately, which is why timelines differ so widely between regions, and why travellers cannot rely on a prescription written elsewhere being honoured here.
Where Thailand stands, as of October 2026
Lenacapavir PrEP in Thailand is still under review by the national regulator. That means private clinics cannot legally prescribe it for general PrEP use yet, and we do not offer it.
- Funding for a national pilot was agreed in late 2025, with a start originally planned for July 2026.
- In September 2026, the Department of Disease Control described preparations for a pilot of about 2,400 people at nine sites, expected towards the end of the year.
- Staff training for pilot sites in Bangkok took place in late September 2026.
Thailand’s part in the trials is one reason it is among the first countries in the region preparing to use the injection. Health officials also plan to add long-acting options to the national PrEP programme, subject to approval and supply.
Places in a pilot are limited and run through designated services. We will update this page as the status changes; please treat any firm launch date you see online with caution.
Price outlook
There is no lenacapavir Thailand price yet, because it is not on the private market. In the US the list price is very high. Thailand is among the priority countries in the manufacturer’s voluntary licence for cheaper generic versions, which could lower costs once those reach the market, but no Thai timeline has been confirmed.
For comparison, oral PrEP costs roughly 750–1,500 THB for 30 generic tablets, or about 3,000–3,500 THB for Truvada, as approximate market ranges. Our breakdown of PrEP costs in Thailand has details, and free PrEP through Thai public services explains who may qualify for no-cost tablets.
How it compares with other PrEP options
Daily tablets, cabotegravir and lenacapavir compared
| Feature | Daily oral PrEP | Cabotegravir | Lenacapavir |
|---|---|---|---|
| How often | One tablet a day | Injection every two months | Injections every six months |
| Where it goes | Swallowed | Into the buttock muscle | Under the skin |
| Thai status | Widely available | Offered by some private services; ask us | Under review; pilot only |
| Main drawback | Daily routine | Frequent visits | Not yet available here |
The comparison many people search for is Apretude vs Yeztugo: both are long-acting, but Apretude is cabotegravir every two months, while Yeztugo needs only two visits a year. Our guide to injectable PrEP options in Bangkok covers cabotegravir; ask us whether it is available for you.
What to use while you wait
Oral PrEP is available now, works very well when taken as prescribed, and switching later is straightforward. Read how well oral PrEP protects you, browse the generic PrEP brands sold in Thailand, or start with our overview of getting PrEP in Thailand. When you are ready, book a PrEP consultation, or use our contact form for any other question.
Questions people ask
Is lenacapavir available in Thailand?
Not for general use as of October 2026. It is under regulatory review, and a limited public pilot is being prepared at designated sites.
How much does lenacapavir cost in Thailand?
No local price exists yet. Generic versions under licence may eventually make it cheaper, but no date has been confirmed.
How effective is Yeztugo?
In trials, infections were extremely rare: none in the main PURPOSE 1 analysis and about 96% fewer than background in PURPOSE 2. It is highly effective, not infallible.
Can trans people use lenacapavir?
Yes. PURPOSE 2 included trans women, trans men and non-binary people. Our page on PrEP and gender-affirming hormones covers today’s options.
Should I wait for lenacapavir instead of starting PrEP now?
If you could be exposed to HIV in the meantime, starting oral PrEP now is the safer choice. You can talk about switching once long-acting options are available.
Written by the HIV PrEP Bangkok team, based on WHO and i-Base information. Status checked as of October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026.