How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Cabotegravir belongs to the class of medications called antiretrovirals, and specifically, it belongs to the family of medications called integrase inhibitors.
Cabotegravir is used to treat 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 works by blocking an enzyme called integrase that is necessary for the HIV virus to reproduce. This medication helps with virus suppression by reducing the amount of HIV in the blood and increasing CD4 (T) cell counts.
Cabotegravir is used by people with stable HIV-1 infections, who have an almost undetectable level of virus in the blood. It is taken along with the medication rilpivirine for short-term treatment of HIV infection. Cabotegravir tablets are used to determine how well the medication will be tolerated before you start the long-acting injectable form of this medication. If you need to miss a scheduled injection by more than 7 days, the tablets may also be taken in place of the missed injection until you can get the next injected dose.
This medication does not cure HIV infection and 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?
Each white, film-coated, oval tablet, debossed with "SV CTV" on one side, contains 30 mg of cabotegravir (equivalent to 31.62 mg of cabotegravir sodium). Nonmedicinal ingredients: hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended adult dose of cabotegravir is 1 tablet (30 mg) taken by mouth with a meal, once daily. Cabotegravir is taken together with one tablet of rilpivirine. For the best effect, try to take them at the same time each day.
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.
Cabotegravir tablets are usually taken for 28 days to determine how well it tolerated before starting a long-acting injectable form. It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, and it is less than 12 hours since the missed dose, take it as soon as possible with a meal, and continue with your regular schedule. If it is more than 12 hours since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice .
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, 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
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- oxcarbazepine
- rifampin
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
- lack of energy
- muscle pain
- nausea
- rash
- sleepiness
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- 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:
- 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.
Liver function: Cabotegravir 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.
Skin reactions: Medications that work the same way as cabotegravir have been reported to cause severe skin reactions. Although this hasn't been reported with cabotegravir, this type of reaction should be 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.
Stopping the medication: If you stop taking this medication, your HIV infection could get worse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and 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.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if cabotegravir 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 less than 18 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between cabotegravir and any of the following:
- antacids (avoid for 2 hours before and 4 hours after taking cabotegravir) (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
- carbamazepine
- oxcarbazepine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- rifampin
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.
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/Vocabria
