Injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine are used in conjunction to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in a subset of adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg). HIV integrase inhibitors are a group of drugs that includes cabotegravir. Rilpivirine belongs to the group of drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). These drugs function by lowering the level of HIV in the blood. Although rilpivirine and cabotegravir do not treat HIV, they may lessen your risk of getting AIDS and other diseases connected to HIV, such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications, engaging in safer sexual behaviour, and changing other aspects of one’s lifestyle may help reduce the risk of transferring the HIV virus to others.

Extended-release (long-acting) injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine are available as suspensions (liquids) that a healthcare professional injects into a muscle. You will receive injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine into each of your buttocks once every month or every two months.

You may take cabotegravir (Vocabria) and rilpivirine (Edurant) tablets orally (by mouth) once every day for one month (at least 28 days) to see if you can handle these medications before getting your first cabotegravir and rilpivirine extended-release injections.

Injections of rilpivirine extended-release may induce severe adverse reactions right away. During this period, a doctor or nurse will keep an eye on you to make sure you are not having a severe reaction to the medication. If you have any of the following symptoms during or soon after your injection: difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, sweating, numbness in your mouth, anxiousness, flushing, lightheadedness, or dizziness, let your doctor or nurse know right once.

Extended-release injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine aid in controlling HIV, but they do not treat it. Even if you feel well, keep all appointments for injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine extended-release. Your problem can get harder to treat if you don’t show up for your sessions to get extended-release injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before receiving cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections,

• If you have an allergy to cabotegravir, rilpivirine, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your physician if you are using phenobarbital, carbamazepine (Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), dexamethasone (Decadron), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), rifabutin, or any other medication (Mycobutin), rifampin, rifapentine, or St. John’s wort are examples of rifampin-based medications. If you are taking one or more of these drugs, your doctor will likely advise you to avoid getting cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: Anagrelide (Agrylin), amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone); clarithromycin (Biaxin), dofetilide (Tikosyn), donepezil (Aricept), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE), flecainide (Tambocor), chloroquine, chlorpromazine, cilostazol, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), citalopram (Celexa); Several drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, including fluconazole (Diflucan), haloperidol (Haldol), ibutilide (Corvert), levofloxacin, and methadone (Dolophine); other NNRTIs used to treat HIV/AIDS include moxifloxacin (Velox), ondansetron (Zuplenz, Zofran), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), pimozide (Orap), procainamide, quinidine (in Nuedexta), sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize), and thioridazine. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine may interact with a wide range of other drugs, so it’s important to let your doctor know about everything you’re taking even drugs not on this list.
• Inform your physician if you currently have, had had, or have any type of liver disease, including hepatitis B or C infection.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor right away if you get pregnant while having cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections. If you have HIV or are taking cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections, you shouldn’t breastfeed.
• It’s important to be aware that cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections could alter your mood or mental state. If you experience any of the following symptoms while having rilpivirine injections, call your doctor right away: new or worsening depression; suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts. Make sure your family is aware of any potentially critical symptoms so they can contact your doctor on your behalf if you are unable to get help on your own.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Call your doctor right away to discuss your treatment options if you miss a cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections visit by more than 7 days.

Injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine might have adverse effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Bruising, itching, redness, swelling, discomfort, or warmth at the injection site
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Back, bone, or muscular pain
• Nausea
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Dizziness
• Gaining weight

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away, or seek emergency medical care, if you suffer any of the symptoms indicated below, together with those in the HOW or SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS sections:

• Rash with or without the following symptoms: fever, exhaustion, muscle or joint pain, swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat, skin blisters, difficulty breathing or swallowing, mouth sores, redness or swelling of the eyes, pain on the right side of the stomach, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, or dark urine
• Yellow eyes or skin, right upper abdomen pain, bruising, bleeding, appetite loss, disorientation, yellow or brown urine, or pale faeces are some symptoms to watch out for
• Changed state of mind, mood swings, unpleasant ideas, or attempts to harm yourself

Injections of cabotegravir plus rilpivirine may result in additional adverse effects. If you experience any odd issues while taking these medications, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections, your doctor will request specific lab tests.

To learn more about cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections, consult your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.