Some adults and adolescents 12 years of age or older weighing at least 77 pounds who are HIV-positive are treated with cabotegravir injection to prevent HIV infection (35 kg).

A healthcare professional must inject cabotegravir injection into a muscle after dissolving it in liquid form. Cabotegravir will be injected into your buttocks once every month for the first two months, and then every two months after that.

You might be required to take a cabotegravir (Vocabria) pill once daily for one month (at least 28 days) prior to receiving your first cabotegravir injection to determine your tolerance to the medicine.

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 taking cabotegravir injection,

• If you have an allergy to cabotegravir, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in cabotegravir injection, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• While taking cabotegravir, several medications should not be taken, or their dosages may need to be modified or more monitoring may be required. Before beginning cabotegravir, be sure to talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal items you are currently taking or intend to take. Always with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while using cabotegravir.
• Inform your doctor if you have liver disease, depression, or any other mental illnesses.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking cabotegravir. If you are taking cabotegravir or are HIV-positive, you should not breastfeed.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are taking cabotegravir injection if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You need to be aware that cabotegravir may alter your ideas, actions, or mental health. If any of the following symptoms appear while you are taking cabotegravir, contact 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.

It’s crucial to adhere to your cabotegravir administration schedule for the drug to function as intended in preventing HIV-1 infection. Call your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options if you miss your cabotegravir injection appointment by more than 7 days.

Side effects from cabotegravir injection are possible. 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.
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you see any of these signs or any of those detailed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section:

• Rash with or without any of the following symptoms: fever, acute exhaustion, muscular or joint pain, blisters, mouth sores, swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue, or mouth, or breathing problems
• 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.

Other adverse effects of cabotegravir could also occur. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, 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 at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or over the phone if you suffer a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

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

Any queries you may have regarding cabotegravir injection, ask 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.