**What is Cabotegravir (Apretude)?** Cabotegravir (Apretude) is a medication prescribed by doctors to help reduce the risk of HIV infection. It is the first pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication available as an injection and lasts longer than similar medications in pill form. PrEP is a type of medicine that protects against HIV infection. **Who Can Use It?** It is approved for adults and teens aged 12 and older who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kilograms). **How Does It Work?** Cabotegravir is an antiretroviral drug. It blocks a substance that the HIV virus needs to copy itself, preventing the virus from entering and multiplying in your cells. **Important Precautions** You must test negative for HIV before every shot. If you take this drug while already infected with HIV, it could make the virus harder to treat. Inform your doctor if you have had any flu-like symptoms in the last month, as these might be signs of a new HIV infection. Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. **How Is It Administered?** A doctor or nurse will give you the shot into the muscle of your buttock. You get one shot a month for the first 2 months, then one every 2 months after that. **Possible Side Effects** Common side effects include pain at the injection site, fever, and tiredness. Rare side effects include allergic reactions, liver damage, and depression. **Effectiveness** Cabotegravir shots can lower your risk of HIV, but no form of PrEP works 100% of the time. **Drug Interactions** Some other drugs might lower the amount of cabotegravir in your body and make the medication less effective. Inform your doctor about all other medicines and supplements you take. **Clinical Trials** Two clinical trials showed that cabotegravir is more effective than another PrEP drug, emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada).