Initiation of HIV PrEP in Young Adults Rose in Recent Years

TUESDAY, June 3, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Dispensing and initiation of HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young adults increased from 2016 through 2023, according to a study published online May 9 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Nina E. Hill, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined recent trends in HIV PrEP among young adults (aged 18 to 25 years). The analysis included data from the IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Database (roughly 1.45 million prescriptions from 2016 through 2023).

The researchers found that the quarterly PrEP dispensing rate increased sharply between 2016 and 2018, from 26.4 to 100.7 prescriptions per 100,000 people (quarterly percent change [QPC], 12.5 percent). Thereafter, the rate increased gradually to 208.4 prescriptions per 100,000 people in 2023 (QPC, 3.5 percent). A similar trend was seen for the quarterly PrEP initiation rate. Quarterly mean persistence decreased from 111.6 days in 2016 to 98.4 days in 2023 (QPC, −0.4 percent). Individuals aged 18 to 21 years had lower quarterly PrEP dispensing and initiation rates throughout the study period compared with those aged 22 to 25 years. In 2016, persistence was lower in these younger individuals, but the gap narrowed over time.

“Dispensing and initiation of PrEP among young adults is increasing, but treatment episodes are shortening,” the authors write. “Efforts to promote retention in therapy are needed.”

Abstract/Full Text