Lenacapavir: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Lenacapavir is a medicine sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Available as
- Tablet · Kit
- Sold as
- 2 products — Sunlenca and Yeztugo
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Not in our catalog
- Half-life
- about 10 to 12 days after an oral dose; about 8 to 12 weeks after the subcutaneous injection
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How lenacapavir is dosed
From the FDA label for Sunlenca (application NDA215973). Other lenacapavir products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Recommended dosage – Initiation with one of two options followed by once every 6 months maintenance injection dosing. Tablets may be taken without regard to food. ( 2.2 ) Initiation Option 1 Day 1 927 mg by subcutaneous injection (2 × 1.5 mL injections) 600 mg orally (2 × 300 mg tablets) Day 2 600 mg orally (2 × 300 mg tablets) Initiation Option 2 Day 1 600 mg orally (2 × 300 mg tablets) Day 2 600 mg orally (2 × 300 mg tablets) Day 8 300 mg orally (1 × 300 mg tablet) Day 15 927 mg by subcutaneous injection (2 × 1.5 mL injections) Maintenance 927 mg by subcutaneous injection (2 × 1.5 mL injections) every 6 months (26 weeks) from the date of the last injection +/-2 weeks. Planned missed injections: If scheduled injection is to be missed by more than 2 weeks, SUNLENCA tablets may be used for oral bridging for up to 6 months until injections resume. Recommended dosage is 300 mg orally once every 7 days. ( 2.3 ) Unplanned missed injections: If more than 28 weeks have elapsed since last injection and tablets have not been taken for oral bridging, restart initiation from Day 1 (using Option 1 or Option 2) if clinically appropriate. ( 2.3 ) SUNLENCA injection is for subcutaneous administration only. Two 1.5 mL injections are required for complete dose. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Adherence to Treatment Regimen Prior to starting SUNLENCA, healthcare providers should carefully select patients who agree…
Lenacapavir side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Immune Reconstitution Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Injection Site Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 3%, all grades) are nausea and injection site reactions. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gilead Sciences, Inc. at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The primary safety assessment of SUNLENCA was based on data from heavily treatment-experienced adult participants with HIV who received SUNLENCA in a Phase 2/3 trial (CAPELLA; N=72) through Week 52 (median duration on study of 71 weeks) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] , as well as supportive data in treatment-naïve adult participants with HIV who received SUNLENCA in a Phase 2 trial (CALIBRATE; N=157) through Week 54 (median duration of exposure of 66 weeks). The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) reported in at least 3% of participants in CAPELLA were nausea and injection site reactions. The proportion of…
Who shouldn’t take lenacapavir
Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with strong CYP3A inducers is contraindicated due to decreased lenacapavir plasma concentrations, which may result in the loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to SUNLENCA [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA is contraindicated with strong CYP3A inducers. ( 4 )
Lenacapavir drug interactions
Consult the Full Prescribing Information prior to and during treatment for important drug interactions. ( 4 , 7 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on SUNLENCA Lenacapavir is a substrate of P-gp, UGT1A1, and CYP3A. Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inducers Drugs that are strong or moderate inducers of CYP3A may significantly decrease plasma concentrations of lenacapavir [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may result in loss of therapeutic effect of SUNLENCA and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with strong CYP3A inducers during SUNLENCA treatment is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with moderate CYP3A inducers during SUNLENCA treatment is not recommended. Combined P-gp, UGT1A1, and Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Combined P-gp, UGT1A1, and strong CYP3A inhibitors may significantly increase plasma concentrations of SUNLENCA. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with these inhibitors is not recommended. 7.2 Effect of SUNLENCA on Other Drugs Lenacapavir is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A. Due to the long half-life of lenacapavir following subcutaneous administration, SUNLENCA may increase the exposure of drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] initiated within 9 months after the last subcutaneous dose of SUNLENCA, which may increase the potential risk of adverse reactions. See the prescribing information of the sensitive CYP3A substrate for dosing recommendations with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A. 7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Table 5 provides a listing of clinically significant drug interactions with recommended prevention or management strategies, but is not all inclusive. The drug interactions described are based on studies conducted with SUNLENCA or are drug interactions that may occur with SUNLENCA [see Contraindications (4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Table 5 Drug Interactions with SUNLENCA Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Effect on Concentration ↑ = Increase, ↓ = Decrease. Clinical Comment Antiarrhythmics: digoxin ↑ digoxin Use with caution and monitor digoxin therapeutic concentration. Anticoagulants: Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) rivaroxaban dabigatran edoxaban ↑ DOAC Refer to the DOAC prescribing information for concomitant administration with moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or P-gp inhibitors. Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine oxcarbazepine phenobarbital phenytoin ↓ lenacapavir Concomitant administration of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with carbamazepine or phenytoin is contraindicated. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with oxcarbazepine or phenobarbital is not recommended. Consider use of alternative anticonvulsants. Antiretroviral Agents: atazanavir/cobicistat Drug-drug interaction study was conducted. atazanavir/ritonavir ↑ lenacapavir (atazanavir/cobicistat, atazanavir/ritonavir) Concomitant administration of efavirenz, nevirapine, or tipranavir/ritonavir may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. efavirenz nevirapine tipranavir/ritonavir ↓ lenacapavir (efavirenz, nevirapine, tipranavir/ritonavir) Concomitant administration with atazanavir/cobicistat, atazanavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, nevirapine, or tipranavir/ritonavir is not recommended. Antimycobacterials: rifabutin rifampin rifapentine ↓ lenacapavir Concomitant administration of rifabutin, rifampin and rifapentine may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with rifampin is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with rifabutin or rifapentine is not recommended. Corticosteroids (systemic): cortisone/hydrocortisone dexamethasone ↑ corticosteroids (systemic) Concomitant administration with systemic corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression. Initiate with the lowest starting dose and titrate carefully while monitoring for safety. ↓ lenacapavir (dexamethasone) Concomitant administration of systemic dexamethasone may result in loss of therapeutic effect of lenacapavir and development of resistance. Alternative corticosteroids to dexamethasone should be considered, particularly for long-term use. Ergot derivatives: dihydroergotamine ergotamine methylergonovine ↑ dihydroergotamine ↑ ergotamine ↑ methylergonovine Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with dihydroergotamine, ergotamine or methylergonovine is not recommended. Herbal Products: St. John's wort The induction potency of St. John's wort may vary widely based on preparation. (Hypericum perforatum) ↓ lenacapavir Concomitant administration of St. John's wort may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with St. John's wort is contraindicated. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: lovastatin simvastatin ↑ lovastatin ↑ simvastatin Initiate lovastatin and simvastatin with the lowest starting dose and titrate carefully while monitoring for safety (e.g., myopathy). Narcotic analgesics metabolized by CYP3A: e.g., fentanyl, oxycodone ↑ fentanyl ↑ oxycodone Careful monitoring of therapeutic effects and adverse reactions associated with CYP3A-metabolized narcotic analgesics (including potentially fatal respiratory depression) is recommended with co-administration. tramadol ↑ tramadol A decrease in dose may be needed for tramadol with concomitant use. Narcotic analgesic for treatment of opioid dependence: buprenorphine, methadone buprenorphine: effects unknown methadone: effects unknown Initiation of buprenorphine or methadone in patients taking SUNLENCA: Carefully titrate the dose of buprenorphine or methadone to the desired effect; use the lowest feasible initial or maintenance dose. Initiation of SUNLENCA in patients taking buprenorphine or methadone: A dose adjustment for buprenorphine or methadone may be needed. Monitor clinical signs and symptoms. Opioid Antagonist: naloxegol ↑ naloxegol Avoid use with SUNLENCA; if unavoidable, decrease the dosage of naloxegol and monitor for adverse reactions. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors: sildenafil tadalafil vardenafil ↑ PDE-5 inhibitors Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Concomitant administration of SUNLENCA with tadalafil for the treatment of PAH is not recommended. Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (ED): Refer to the prescribing information of PDE-5 inhibitors for dose recommendations. Sedatives/Hypnotics: midazolam (oral) triazolam ↑ midazolam (oral) ↑ triazolam Use with caution when midazolam or triazolam is concomitantly administered with SUNLENCA 7.4 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with SUNLENCA Based on drug interaction studies conducted with SUNLENCA, no clinically significant drug interactions have been observed with: darunavir/cobicistat, cobicistat, famotidine, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, tenofovir alafenamide, and voriconazole.
Every lenacapavir product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → |
What lenacapavir pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
What people report to the FDA about lenacapavir
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 2 reports naming lenacapavir, and the FDA flagged 50% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- dizziness1 reports
- human immunodeficiency virus transmission1 reports
- hyperhidrosis1 reports
- maternal exposure during pregnancy1 reports
- nausea1 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean lenacapavir caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved August 25, 2026.
How long lenacapavir stays in your system
The elimination half-life of lenacapavir is about 10 to 12 days after an oral dose; about 8 to 12 weeks after the subcutaneous injection. Elimination (apparent terminal) half-life from Table 8 of §12.3. Two very different numbers because the routes differ: oral gives ~10-12 days, but the subcutaneous injection (the Yeztugo product) forms a slow-release depot (Tmax 77-84 days), so its apparent half-life is ~8-12 weeks — this is absorption-limited (flip-flop) kinetics, which is why one dose lasts ~6 months. Not a prodrug and no active metabolite that outlasts the parent: no single circulating metabolite accounted for more than 10% of drug-related exposure, and 69% of plasma drug is unchanged parent. Per the label, there are no clinically significant PK differences by age, or with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15 to <30 mL/min) or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B); the effect of end-stage renal disease/dialysis and of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) is unknown, though dialysis is not expected to change exposure since the drug is >98.5% protein-bound.
YEZTUGO (lenacapavir) FDA label — DailyMed, §12.3 Pharmacokinetics, Table 8 ↗Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is lenacapavir?
SUNLENCA tablets and SUNLENCA injection contain lenacapavir sodium, a capsid inhibitor.
How long does lenacapavir stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of lenacapavir is about 10 to 12 days after an oral dose; about 8 to 12 weeks after the subcutaneous injection — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. Elimination (apparent terminal) half-life from Table 8 of §12.3. Two very different numbers because the routes differ: oral gives ~10-12 days, but the subcutaneous injection (the Yeztugo product) forms a slow-release depot (Tmax 77-84 days), so its apparent half-life is ~8-12 weeks — this is absorption-limited (flip-flop) kinetics, which is why one dose lasts ~6 months. Not a prodrug and no active metabolite that outlasts the parent: no single circulating metabolite accounted for more than 10% of drug-related exposure, and 69% of plasma drug is unchanged parent. Per the label, there are no clinically significant PK differences by age, or with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15 to <30 mL/min) or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B); the effect of end-stage renal disease/dialysis and of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) is unknown, though dialysis is not expected to change exposure since the drug is >98.5% protein-bound. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Can you take lenacapavir with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run lenacapavir against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is lenacapavir sold under?
We track 2 lenacapavir-containing products in the U.S.: Sunlenca and Yeztugo. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does lenacapavir come in?
Across the brands we track, lenacapavir is currently marketed as tablet and kit, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic lenacapavir?
We do not currently list a generic-labelled lenacapavir product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Lenacapavir: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/lenacapavir
- MLA
- “Lenacapavir: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/lenacapavir.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for lenacapavir on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.