Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic infection that depletes the 
immune system of essential components causing those infected to be at risk for 
multiple life-threatening infections. Worldwide, millions live with this 
infection, the vast majority attributable to HIV-1. Transmission persists with 
hundreds of thousands of new infections reported yearly. Implementation of 
combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been effective in improving 
outcomes and decreasing transmission. Newer co-formulated agents have provided 
simpler medication regimens, fewer side effects, and, in some cases, a higher 
barrier to the emergence of medication resistance. Areas covered: Here, we 
review trials of cabotegravir (CAB) as treatment of HIV-1 infection and its 
potential use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in high risk individuals, 
including issues around oral lead in and potential resistance emergence. Expert 
opinion: CAB is efficacious when used in combination therapy orally or given 
intramuscularly every 4 to 8 weeks. Its availability in a long-acting injectable 
formulation (CAB-LA) makes it a valuable, novel drug to treat HIV-1 infection 
when combined with long-acting injectable rilpivirine (RPV-LA). Moreover, 
pre-clinical and early Phase 2a studies support its testing as monotherapy as 
PrEP. Studies are underway comparing the efficacy of every 8 week CAB-LA to 
tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC).