How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Cabotegravir – rilpivirine is a long-acting injection consisting of two medications: cabotegravir and rilpivirine. This combination of medications belongs to the class of medications called anti-retrovirals.
Rilpivirine belongs to the group of anti-retrovirals known asnon-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that is needed by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for reproduction. Rilpivirine blocks the action of this enzyme.
Cabotegravir belongs to the group of anti-retrovirals known as integrase inhibitors. Itworks by blocking an enzyme called integrase that is necessary for the HIV virus to reproduce. In doing so, it reduces the amount of HIV in the blood.
Combined, cabotegravir-rilpivirine treats HIV infection and helps prevent the HIV from reproducing. HIV is the virus responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infection destroys CD4 (T) cells, which are important to the immune system. The immune system helps fight infections. Cabotegravir-rilpivirine helps to maintain virus suppression by reducing the amount of HIV in the blood and increasing CD4 (T) cell counts.
This medication does not cure HIV infection does not prevent it from being spread to others, although suppression of the virus does reduce the risk of passing the virus to others. It is used to slow further growth or reproduction of HIV and seems to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help to delay the development of problems such as infections related to AIDS or HIV disease.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
400 mg/600 mg kit
Each 2 mL single-dose vial with a dark grey flip-off cap of white-to-light-pink, free-flowing, extended-release, injectable suspension contains 400 mg of cabotegravir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, polysorbate 20, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350, and water for injection.
Each 2 mL single-dose vial with a mist grey flip-off cap of white-to-off-white, extended-release, injectable suspension contains 600 mg of rilpivirine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, glucose monohydrate, poloxamer 338, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection.
600 mg/900 mg
Each 3 mL single-dose vial with an orange flip-off cap of white-to-light-pink, free-flowing, extended-release, injectable suspension contains 600 mg of cabotegravir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, polysorbate 20, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350, and water for injection.
Each 3 mL single-dose vial with a yellow flip-off cap of white-to-off-white, extended-release, injectable suspension contains 900 mg of rilpivirine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, glucose monohydrate, poloxamer 338, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection.
How should I use this medication?
The starting dose is 600 mg of cabotegravir and 900 mg of rilpivirine, given as 2 separate intramuscular (into a muscle) injections. The second and following doses are 300 mg of cabotegravir and 600 mg of rilpivirine, each injected once a month. This medication will be administered by your doctor or health care professional.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you are going to miss or have missed an appointment to receive cabotegravir-rilpivirine, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend taking cabotegravir and rilpivirine tablets by mouth until your next injection can be scheduled.
Store this medication in the refrigerator in its original carton, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to cabotegravir or any ingredients of the medication
- are taking any of the following medications:
- carbamazepine
- dexamethasone (more than a single dose)
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- oxcarbazepine
- rifabutin
- rifampin
- St. John's wort
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abnormal dreams
- diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping
- dizziness
- fever or feeling hot
- gas
- general feeling of being unwell
- headache
- injection site reactions (e.g., pain, lump, swelling, itching, bruising)
- lack of energy
- muscle pain
- nausea
- rash
- sleepiness
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- warmth at the injection site
- weakness
- weight gain
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- post-injection reaction (e.g., dizziness, difficulty breathing, stomach cramping, agitation, flushing, feeling lightheaded, sweating, numbness of the lips and mouth)
- signs of depression (e.g., mood changes, poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of self-harm or suicide)
- signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
- signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Depression: Antiretroviral medications have been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Hypersensitivity syndrome: A severe allergic reaction called hypersensitivity syndrome can occur with the use of rilpivirine. Similar skin reactions have been reported with medications that work in the same way as cabotegravir. These reactions may involve a number of organs in the body and may be fatal if not treated quickly. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.
Liver function: Cabotegravir-rilpivirine may cause liver problems. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, feeling unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine), contact your doctor immediately.
Post-injection reactions: Serious reactions have been reported shortly after receiving the rilpivirine injection part of this treatment. Blood pressure changes, difficulty breathing, stomach cramping, agitation, flushing, feeling lightheaded, sweating, and numbness in and around the mouth may occur. These reactions are generally short-lived and rare, however if you experience these effects, let your doctor know immediately.
Stopping the medication: If you stop taking this medication, your HIV infection could get worse. The HIV virus may change and become resistant to the medication, if cabotegravir-rilpivirine is stopped or injections missed. It is important that you attend the monthly appointments to receive injections, to ensure the medications continue to work for you. Do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Cabotegravir-rilpivirine remains in the body for up to 12 months after the last dose. The effect this may have on a developing baby should be considered before you decide to become pregnant.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if cabotegravir-rilpivirine passes into breast milk. Women who have HIV infection should not breast-feed because of the risk of passing HIV to a baby who does not have the infection.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children under 18 years old.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between cabotegravir - rilpivirine and any of the following:
- carbamazepine
- dexamethasone
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- methadone
- oxcarbazepine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- rifabutin
- rifampin
- St. John's wort
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Cabenuva
