LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (19 December2025) approved lenacapavir (Yeytuo) for the prevention of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents.
Lenacapavirworks by reducing the risk of the HIV-1 virus multiplying and spreading throughout the body if a person is exposed to the virus.
Lenacapavir binds to the HIV-1 virus's outer layer, interfering with the virus' ability to multiply and spread.It is recommended to beused alongside safer sex practices, such as condoms.
Lenacapavir is administered via a combination of tablets and injections. It is given as an injection once every six months. For the first dose only, people also take two days of tablets by mouth.
Julian Beach, Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, said:
"The approval oflenacapavir marksthe introduction of a6-monthlylong-acting preventativeoptionfor sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection.
"Blockingthe virus from multiplying if exposure occurs,lenacapaviroffers anadditionalchoice alongside existing safer sex practices.
"As with all licensed medicines, we will continue to monitor its safety and effectiveness closely as it becomes more widely used."
A full list of side effects can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), which will be published on the MHRA website within 7 days of approval.
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.
Report any suspected adverse reactions to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
Notes to editors
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The approval was granted on 19 December 2025to GileadSciencesLTD
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More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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For media enquiries, please contact newscentre@mhra.gov.uk or call 020 3080 7651.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
