Your Injectable
PrEP Station
Injectable
PrEP Station
What is Injectable PrEP?
Injectable PrEP (long-acting cabotegravir) has recently been approved for use in Canada. This breakthrough allows for bi-monthly injections, offering a convenient alternative to daily pills.
While it’s not a vaccine, regular administration ensures continuous HIV prevention, empowering you to maintain your health with confidence.
How is PrEP Injected?
Each dose is administered as a single injection into the gluteal area of the body (buttocks).
After the initial dose, there is another injection in one month, followed by injections every 2 months. Lab testing is completed prior to each new injection.
Our in-person clinics in Toronto, Brampton, and Ottawa offer injection and lab test services from our nursing team.
Start With Ontario's Largest Team
Toronto - Brampton - Ottawa
Our in-person clinics offer full-service care for all your injectable PrEP needs.
How much does it cost?
Great news! Coverage support for injectable PrEP has just been added to Ontario government drug programs. Plus, many private drug plans may partially or even fully cover the medication.
Need help checking coverage?
Our pharmacy team is here for you. Email us at info@prepclinic.ca or text 416-420-1250, and a team member will assist you.
Check out below for more coverage details:
I have an Ontario health card and no insurance.
Injectable PrEP is now listed within The Ontario Drug Benefit program (ODB).
This means that the medication is now covered for people who are enrolled in:
OHIP+ (individuals under 25 with a health card and no other insurance)
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Ontario Works (OW)
Seniors Drug Program
Trillium Drug Program (may be fully or partially covered)
It is also covered via:
Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB: First Nations and Inuit coverage program)
I have private medication insurance.
Some insurance plans have started covering injectable PrEP. To find out if your plan includes coverage, check with your insurance provider using the Drug Identification Number (DIN): 02547473, and see if you have an annual plan maximum too.
If the medication isn’t fully covered, a support program is available to help with partial costs.
Our team can connect you with this program and also assist in verifying whether your plan includes coverage for injectable PrEP.
I have no health card and no insurance.
The injection is provided at no cost to individuals enrolled in the Interim Federal Health Program (IFH), which offers coverage for refugees registered with the government.
Without coverage, each injection costs approximately $1900 and is excluded from our PrEPSaver Program.
How to get Injectable PrEP?
Step 1: Register Online
Please fill out the form below, and our team will be in touch within 24 hours.
Step 2: Consultation
In-person consultation with a Nurse Practitioner and the initial on-site lab testing.
Step 3: 1st Injection
When the results come in, return to the clinic for the first injection.
Step 4: 2nd and Ongoing Injections
Return within a month for additional lab work and the next injection, then every 2 months
Sign up for
Injectable PrEP
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a good candidate for the Injection?
You may be a good candidate for injectable PrEP if you do not want to take pills or have difficulty remembering to take them, and are comfortable receiving regular injections at the gluteal (buttocks) site. If you tend to come perfectly on time when lab work and refills are due and are open to more frequent lab work, then injectable PrEP may be a good option for you.
You should also have full coverage for injectable PrEP through private or public drug programs, or be comfortable paying for it out of pocket.
Who may not be a good candidate for the Injection?
If you are not open to more frequent lab testing or you are not comfortable receiving injections, injectable PrEP may not be the best option for you. You may be a better candidate for pills if you are sometimes late for lab work, or prefer the flexibility in stopping, starting, or switching between daily and on-demand PrEP use.
If you do not have private insurance that covers the injection or government coverage, the injection cost is significant.
What are the side effects of injectable PrEP?
- Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling)
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
How effective is injectable PrEP?
Injectable PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV infection.
How often do I need to get injections for PrEP?
For injectable PrEP, you need to receive an injection every two months (bimonthly). If an injection is missed pills may be used. An action plan detailing this will be provided to you by the clinic in the event of missed injections.
Are pills still an option?
Yes, they are still an option and the majority of people will continue on what works best for them.
But you can switch from oral PrEP to injectable PrEP. Discuss with your Nurse Practitioner on the team to determine the best transition plan and ensure continuous HIV protection.
Where can I get injectable PrEP?
Injectable PrEP services are available at our Toronto, Brampton, and Ottawa clinic locations.
Learn more about our in-person locations and hours here.
How should I PrEP?
PrEP Pills
- Labwork every 3 months
- Can be taken once daily, or on-demand
- First 3 months free, covered by most plans
- Coverage from ODB / OHIP+ / Trillium
- Most Pay $0 with our PrEPSaver Program
Injectable PrEP
- Labwork every 2 months
- A single injection every 2 months
- Covered by some private insurance plans
- Now covered under ODB / OHIP+ / Trillium
- Some co-pay or deductible coverage support
PrEP with us
Five years ago we launched the country’s first-ever online PrEP service, a collaboration between our clinic and pharmacy. We later expanded to offer in-person care at our full-service PrEP clinics in Toronto, Brampton, and Ottawa.
Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated, we are an inclusive space and provide care to people of all backgrounds and identities. We’re all about community and since opening have given back over $150,000 to HIV/AIDS organizations across the province. We are also an Ontario Living Wage employer and strong believers in worker rights.
