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Uses

What is Cabenuva used for?

Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine) is commonly used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1, also known as HIV-1.

Learn more about How Cabenuva Works for HIV. 

Cabenuva may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Cabenuva work (mechanism of action)?

Cabenuva contains two medicines: cabotegravir and rilpivirine. Both medicines work in different ways to stop the virus from growing and spreading through the body. 

How is Cabenuva supplied (dosage forms)?

Cabenuva is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider. 

How should I store Cabenuva?

Cabenuva is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Cabenuva?

The most common side effects of Cabenuva are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site, also called injection reactions (see below)
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Nausea
  • Sleep problems
  • Dizziness
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of Cabenuva that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Cabenuva?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Cabenuva are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Cabenuva may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS, which can be serious. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with Cabenuva. Stop receiving the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, feet, ankles, or legs
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Blisters or sores in the mouth or anywhere else on your body
  • Redness or swelling of the eye
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Injection Reactions. Cabenuva may cause injection reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of an injection reaction.

  • Breathing problems
  • Stomach cramps
  • Sweating
  • Numb mouth
  • Back or chest pain
  • Feeling anxious or your body feeling warm
  • Skin rash
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your blood pressure

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when receiving Cabenuva. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Depression or Mood Changes. Cabenuva may increase the risk of developing depression or havingmood changes. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or restless
  • Thoughts about hurting yourself
  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Cabenuva?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive Cabenuva.

  • Cabenuva
  • Cabotegravir 
  • Rilpivirine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Cabenuva.

Drug Interactions. You should not receive Cabenuva while you are using certain other medicines. Before receiving Cabenuva, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Cabenuva before using it?

Your healthcare provider will inject Cabenuva into the muscle of your buttock either every month or every two months. Cabenuva requires two injections to be given at the same clinic appointment. Keep all appointments to receive Cabenuva so that you do not miss any doses. 

Your healthcare provider may have you take cabotegravir and rilpivirine (the ingredients in Cabenuva) by mouth for a month before you start the injection. This will allow you to see how you tolerate the medicine.

Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may check your blood to make sure it is safe for you to continue receiving Cabenuva.

Tell your healthcare provider if you want to stop using Cabenuva, so they can discuss other medicines you may use to treat your HIV.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Cabenuva?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Cabenuva is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • A skin rash or an allergic reaction from a medicine that contained cabotegravir or rilpivirine
  • Liver problems, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • Kidney problems 
  • Mental health problems 

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Cabenuva could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Cabenuva can stay in your body for up to 12 months or longer after your last dose. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should receive Cabenuva while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you continue to receive Cabenuva while you are pregnant, your healthcare provider may monitor your HIV more closely.

If you become pregnant while receiving Cabenuva, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding. Cabenuva passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while receiving Cabenuva and having HIV-1. 

How can I get more information about Cabenuva?

For more information about Cabenuva, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.cabenuva.com or call them at 877-844-8872.

Interactions

Does Cabenuva interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Cabenuva and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Cabenuva.

Does Cabenuva interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before receiving Cabenuva.

  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others) or oxcarbazepine (Trileptal, Oxtellar XR), which is a medicine used to control seizures
  • Phenobarbital, which is a medicine that may be used to treat seizures, anxiety, or trouble sleeping
  • Rifampin or rifapentine (Priftin) which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent a bacterial infection called Mycobacterium avium complex disease (MAC)
  • Dexamethasone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin, or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Methadone, which is an opioid medicine used to treat pain or opioid use disorder
  • Medicines that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem
  • Any other medicines for HIV or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Cabenuva. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Cabenuva. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Cabenuva?

If you or someone else has used too much Cabenuva, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Cabenuva?

If you miss or plan to miss a scheduled dose of Cabenuva by more than 7 days, call your healthcare provider right away. Missing doses of Cabenuva can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.

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