Background and Importance The development of long-acting injectable treatment has become a new treatment strategy that could change the handling of patients with antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection.

Cabotegravir/rilpivirine represents the first long-acting drug combination approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) for this indication.

Aim and Objectives To know the acceptability and willingness of patients with HIV infection to switch their oral antiretroviral treatment to a long-acting injectable.

Material and Methods Qualitative descriptive population study carried out at a third-level hospital. All adult patients with an indication for cabotegravir/rilpivirine treatment attended at the pharmacy consult were included.

A questionnaire was prepared where the patient‘s data were collected and the degree of satisfaction with their treatment and the acceptance of the therapy with long-acting injectables were evaluated.

Results A total of 57 patients [70.2% (n=40) men and 29.8% (n=17) women] with a median age of 54 years [range: 28 – 78] completed the questionnaire. The ART they received were: Dovato®, Triumeq®, Juluca®, Biktarvy®, Odefsey®, Genvoya® or Symtuza®.

Patients expressed being satisfied [33,3% (n=19)] or very satisfied [66,7% (n=38)] with their usual ART and that it was not an inconvenience to take the medication orally every day [75,4% (n=43)]. The majority stated that they were willing [54,4% (n=31)] or very willing [31,6% (n=18)] to continue with their treatment.

Furthermore, most of the patients had prior knowledge of long-acting injectable therapy [71.9% (n=41)] and expressed that they did not mind receiving two intramuscular injections every 2 months [86.0% (n=49)] and that they were not worried about the secondary pain [57.9% (n=33)]. The majority stated that they were willing [52.6% (n=30)] or very willing [35.1% (n=20)] to switch treatment.

The main reasons for switching treatment were to remove the stigma, to avoid forgetting to take the medication and the worry about running out of medication.

Conclusion and Relevance Results reflected a great acceptability and willingness of our patients to receive long-acting antiretrovirals, showing agreement with previously conducted studies.

In addition, the patients also appreciated being asked their opinion about the treatment.

Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest.