Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapies for HIV Treatment and Prevention: Efficacy and Implementation
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Date
2026
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Newport International Journal of Biological and Applied Sciences (NIJBAS)
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remained a persistent global health challenge despite significant progress in antiretroviral therapy. While daily oral antiretroviral regimens have substantially improved survival and reduced transmission, long-term adherence difficulties continue to compromise treatment and prevention outcomes. Long-acting antiretroviral therapies emerged as an innovative pharmacological approach aimed at overcoming these limitations. This review examined the biochemical rationale, clinical efficacy, and implementation considerations of long-acting antiretroviral therapies for both HIV treatment and prevention. A narrative review methodology was utilized to synthesize and critically analyze existing scientific literature on long-acting antiretroviral agents, including pharmacological studies, clinical trials, and implementation research. Evidence indicated that long-acting antiretroviral therapies achieved virologic suppression comparable to conventional oral regimens while offering advantages in adherence, patient satisfaction, and prevention efficacy. Injectable long-acting agents also demonstrated superior effectiveness in HIV prevention compared to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis. Nonetheless, challenges related to resistance risk, healthcare infrastructure, cost, and equitable access persist. Longacting antiretroviral therapies represented a transformative advancement in HIV care, but their optimal impact will depend on strategic implementation and health system adaptation.