What is Cabotegravir and rilpivirine?
Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are antiviral medications that stop the human immunodeficiency from multiplying within your body. HIV is a virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome and AIDS. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are a combination of antiviral drugs that can be used to treat HIV without the need for any other antiviral medications. Cabotegravir is not a cure or treatment for HIV/AIDS. When the doctor determines that it is appropriate, cabotegravir (rilpivirine) and rilpivirine are used to replace anti-HIV medication in patients 12 years of age and older who weigh 77 pounds or more. Cabotegravir or rilpivirine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Cabotegravir and rilpivirine
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention: hives, fever, tiredness, body pains, feeling unwell, sores, blisters, red eyes, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat If you experience a severe drug reaction, seek medical attention. This can include a skin or eye rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, severe muscle pain, and weakness. If you experience an allergic reaction, your cabotegravir or rilpivirine may be discontinued permanently.
Some side effects can occur within minutes of an injection. If you experience anxiety, lightheadedness, heat, stomach pain, or numbness, tell your carer.
Cabotegravir or rilpivirine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Unusual changes in mood or behaviour
- Suicidal thoughts and actions
- Liver problems: loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain on the upper right side; itching. Dark urine and clay-coloured stools. Jaundice.
Side effects common to cabotegravir or rilpivirine include:
- Pain, swelling, itching, or warmth where the injection was administered;
- Fever;
- Nausea;
- Pain in your joints, muscles, or bones
- Sleep problems, fatigue, and tiredness
- Headache, dizziness,
There may be other side effects. Call your physician immediately if any symptoms cause concern or to obtain advice for dealing with side effects. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking, as well as any new ones. Some drugs are not to be taken together, and others can cause drug interactions.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to cabotegravir or rilpivirine, do not take it.
Many drugs can cause harmful interactions. Cabotegravir, rilpivirine, and some other drugs shouldn't be taken together. If you are also taking
- Dexamethasone in more than one dose
- Methadone;
- John's Wort;
- Certain antibiotics—azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, rifampin, and rifapentine;
- Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
Cabotegravir or rilpivirine may stay in your body for up to 12 months. Follow your doctor's advice about taking any other medicine during the first 12 months after stopping cabotegravir or rilpivirine.
Discuss any of the following with your physician:
- A skin rash or allergic reaction may occur after taking a medicine containing cabotegravir (or rilpivirine).
- Liver disease, including hepatitis C (cabotegravir or rilpivirine may affect your liver function test results);
- Mental illness;
- Long-QT syndrome
Inform your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant. Cabotegravir or rilpivirine may harm an unborn child, but this is unknown. HIV can still be transmitted to your unborn baby if you do not control the virus during pregnancy. You may have your name listed in a registry that tracks the effects of cabotegravir or rilpivirine. Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV/AIDS. Even if the baby was born HIV-free, the virus can be transmitted to the infant through your breast milk. Cabotegravir or rilpivirine is not recommended for anyone under 12 years of age or who weighs less than 77 pounds.
How to take Cabotegravir and rilpivirine?
For at least 28 days prior to your first injection, take cabotegravir in tablet form and rilpivirine once daily with a meal. This "lead in dose" helps determine if you can safely take these medications together. Use the medicine exactly as prescribed. Follow all the instructions on your prescription label. You will receive the first injection of this medication on the day after you finish taking the tablets. Cabotegravir is injected once a month into a muscle or twice a year. This medicine will be given to you by your healthcare provider as two separate injections on opposite sides of the buttocks. After your first injection, you will start receiving regular monthly cabotegravir-rilpivirine shots. You will be closely monitored for 10 minutes following each injection to ensure you don't have any serious reactions. Your HIV treatment will be successful if you are able to time your monthly injections correctly. To help you stay on track, your doctor can set a specific calendar date as "target treatment dates". You may need to receive an injection up to seven days earlier or later than your "target treatment date". It is important to remain under the supervision of a physician while you receive cabotegravir or rilpivirine. To get the best results, stick to your schedule. Missing doses increase your risk of HIV resistance to medications. You will need to take other HIV medications if you decide to stop taking cabotegravir or rilpivirine. This is to avoid your condition becoming resistant. Contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss treatment options. You may need to undergo frequent medical tests. Cabotegravir or rilpivirine may have long-lasting effects on your body. (Up to 12 months following your last dose) After stopping this medication, you may need to undergo medical tests.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you plan to miss an injection for more than seven days.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Cabotegravir combined with rilpivirine provides a complete HIV treatment. Other HIV medications should only be taken if your doctor has prescribed them. It is possible that cabotegravir or rilpivirine will not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Do not engage in unprotected sexual activity. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HIV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes for drugs or medicines.
Interaction with other drug
Cabotegravir, rilpivirine, and other antiviral drugs can cause serious heart problems. This risk is increased if you are also taking certain other medications for asthma, heart disease, depression, mental illness, or HIV. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may interact with cabotegravir or rilpivirine. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you will begin or stop using.
