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Treatment FAQ

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CABENUVAⓇ is a 2-drug long-acting, complete HIV regimen consisting of cabotegravir, an HIV-1 INSTI, and rilpivirine, an HIV-1 NNRTI. This combination long-acting agent is given once every other month for TREATMENT instead of daily HIV pills.

If recommended by your prescriber, this regimen can also be given every month.

The medications are slowly released over time to keep the same level in your body between appointments.

No. Long-acting prep contains cabotegravir only. This long-acting treatment contains two medications: cabotegravir and rilpivirine.

If you are currently undetectable, or the lab tests detect HIV in the blood to be lower than 50 copies/ml, you may be eligible to begin treatment with the long-acting agent.

It is not recommended that you take the long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine injection if:

  • You have had an allergic reaction to cabotegravir or rilpivirine; or
  • Take the following medications:
    • carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifabutin; rifampin; rifapentine; dexamethasone (more than a single-dose treatment); St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).

The long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine injection is given every other month or monthly by a healthcare provider as 2 injections after you take about a month of once-daily starter pills. Your every other month regimen begins after 2 consecutive months of injections.

It’s important to attend all appointments.

You and your doctor will choose an ongoing date, or Target Treatment Appointment Date, that works best to get your injections from a healthcare professional.

If you can’t make your target appointment date, be sure to contact your doctor right away.

If you can’t make your Target Appointment Date because you’ll be out of town, make sure to contact your doctor immediately to set up a new appointment and discuss your options.

You’ll have a Flexible Treatment Appointment Window—from 7 days before to 7 days after your Target Treatment Date.

If you miss a dose or stop treatment, contact your doctor immediately to ensure you stay undetectable.

To maintain your treatment schedule, your doctor may instruct you to visit an Alternate Site for Administration (ASA). Use the link below to determine if there is an alternative site near you. https://www.viivconnect.com/injection-site-finder/

The amount you pay for Long-Acting Treatment will depend on your health insurance and the specifics of your insurance plan.

If you don’t have health insurance, there are opportunities through Medicaid, Viiv (who makes the Long-Acting Treatment), and other agencies to get you the medication.

The ViiV Connect website for patients is available to determine your insurance coverage and if you’re eligible for programs that may help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

https://www.viivconnect.com/for-patients/

The long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine for injection has been shown to cause the following side effects. Please refer to the product safety information for more information.

Side effects:

This lesson is not comprehensive. Call your provider for medical advice or guidance

  • Most common reactions:
    • pain, tenderness, hardened mass or lump, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, and warmth at the injection site
    • fever
    • tiredness
    • headache
    • muscle or bone pain
    • nausea
    • sleep problems
    • dizziness
    • rash
  • Allergic reactions: 
    • RASH
      • Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with the long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine agent.
    • RASH with the additional symptoms:
      •  fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; trouble breathing; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
      • GET MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY & Stop receiving the injection
    • POST-INJECTION REACTION
      • This occurs minutes after the rilpivirine injection. 
      • Most symptoms resolve after the injection
        • Symptoms may include trouble breathing; narrowing of airways; stomach cramps; sweating; numbness of your mouth; pain (eg, back and chest); feeling anxious; feeling warm; rash; feeling lightheaded or like you are going to faint; blood pressure changes. 
  • Liver problems:
    • People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus or with specific liver function test changes may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests while receiving this treatment. 
    • People without a history of liver problems or other risk factors may also be at risk. 
      • Clinical assessment
        • Blood tests to check your liver function. 
    • Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area; itching. 
  • Depression or mood changes: 
    • Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless; feeling anxious or restless; having thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or having tried to hurt yourself.

If you plan to get pregnant or want to get pregnant, 

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 
    • Do not breastfeed if you take the Long-Acting Treatment. 
    • It is unknown if long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine injection can pass to your baby in breast milk.

Yes! Please go to our website to find a provider that can assist you.

AAHIVM offers Referral Link to help locate providers according to specialty, focus, insurance, location, practice information, and patient population.

PrEP FAQ

Cabotegravir is a medication that can help you stay HIV-negative. Here is what you need to know.

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PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for daily use to help people stay HIV-negative. Take PrEP before you are exposed to HIV infection. 

The pill is called TruvadaⓇ, a two-drug combination in one pill, and it is taken once a day.

The long-acting injection, called ApretudeⓇ, was approved by the FDA in 2021. The injection is administered by a healthcare provider every other month.

You can obtain the prescription from licensed providers (MD, DNP, or Pharmacists*) 

*As determined by your state, please verify by contacting your local pharmacy

PrEP prevents HIV from spreading in your body.

If you are exposed to bodily fluids — semen, blood, or vaginal fluids — of someone with HIV, having PrEP in your bloodstream blocks the pathways leading to infection.

Yes. PrEP is more than 90% effective when taken consistently, according to the CDC.

PrEP works best when combined with other safer sex practices (condom use and HIV/STI testing) to decrease your HIV risk significantly.

Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to reduce the risk of infection.

People use PrEP to remain HIV-negative for a variety of reasons.

You should talk with your provider about Long-Acting PrEP if any of the following apply to you:

  • You have multiple sexual partners;
  • Your primary sexual partner(s) is HIV-positive;
  • You have condomless sex, especially with a partner who is HIV-positive or whose status you don’t know;
  • You have been treated for an STI;
  • Your or your sexual partner(s) use injection drugs;
  • You have taken PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) more than once in the past year;
  • Your sexual partner(s) refuses to use condoms during sex, or you find it challenging to use condoms consistently; or
  • You or your sexual partner(s) engage in commercial sex work or the exchange of sex for money, drugs, housing, or other assistance.
  • You have difficulty taking medications daily or have forgotten to take your oral PrEP medication.

Work with your healthcare provider to start a Long-Acting PrEP routine.

If you decide Long-Acting PrEP is right for you, you’ll meet with a healthcare provider to screen you for the medication, including giving you an HIV test and tests for hepatitis B, kidney function, and STIs. 

If it’s a good fit, you’ll receive a prescription:

You will initially be given an injection into the muscle of your buttock 1 time every month for the first 2 months, then as an injection 1 time every 2 months.

You and your healthcare provider will choose 1 day every other month for your injection—your Target Appointment Date.

You have a window in which you may reschedule the appointment.

You have from 7 days before to 7 days after your Target Appointment Date. 

Contact your healthcare provider immediately to set up a new appointment within your Flexible Appointment Window and talk about your options.

Missing your Target Appointment Date for more than seven days will require 2 months of daily oral pills called VOCABRIAⓇ. They contain the same active ingredient as the Long-Acting PrEP. 

If you choose to restart your Cabotegravir injections, your healthcare provider will determine whether it’s right for you. 

Remember: attending every Long-Acting PrEP appointment is crucial to help you stay continuously protected from HIV.

This follow-up care is vital as it will include blood tests, HIV and STI screenings, assessment of any side effects, discussion of HIV risks, an assessment of your experience with the medication, and a prescription refill.

The amount you pay for Long-Acting PrEP will depend on your health insurance and the specifics of your insurance plan. 

If you don’t have health insurance, there are opportunities through Medicaid, Viiv (who makes the Long-Acting PrEP), and other agencies to get you Long-Acting PrEP. 

Eligible patients may pay as little as a $0 copay per fill. Click the link below to learn more: https://www.apretudecopayprogram.com/.

The ViiV Connect website for patients is available to determine your insurance coverage and if you’re eligible for programs that may help lower your out-of-pocket costs. https://www.viivconnect.com/for-patients/

Long-Acting PrEP can be highly effective at preventing HIV, but there are a few reasons why it might not be right for you.

You should not use Long-Acting PrEP if any of the following apply to you:

  • You are HIV-positive or show symptoms of HIV infection;
  • You are allergic to cabotegravir
  • You do not have access to regular HIV/STI testing and prevention counseling;
  • You do not plan to take the medication consistently; or
  • You have liver disease.
  • You are taking certain medicines: carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifampin; or rifapentine.
  • You have buttock implants or fillers.

No.

PrEP is an additional level of protection against HIV.

The FDA recommends using PrEP with condoms to maximize your protection against HIV and other STIs. However, PrEP can help lower your risk of contracting HIV even when you don’t use a condom, and PrEP does not protect you against other STIs, such as Hepatitis C.

People who take Long-Acting PrEP have reported experiencing side effects, such as:

Injection Site:

  • Pain, Tenderness, hardened mass or lump, abscess, discoloration, swelling, bruising, redness, itching, warmth, and loss of sensation.

Overall: 

  • Diarrhea; headache; fever; tiredness; sleep problems; nausea; or dizziness.

You can talk with your healthcare provider about what side effects you can expect and what to do about them. 

No, but please contact your provider.

Because this medication is delivered into the muscle of each side of your buttocks, it is not recommended that patients with implants or fillers receive these injections.

Since Long-Acting PrEP remains in your body for up to 12 months after your last injection, it is unknown if it will harm your unborn child.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while receiving the injections.

It is unknown if Cabotegravir can pass to your baby in breast milk. 

Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving Long-Acting PrEP.

Yes. Long-Acting PrEP does not interfere with HRT or birth control.

Yes! Please go to our website to find a provider that can assist you.

AAHIVM offers Referral Link to help locate providers according to specialty, focus, insurance, location, practice information, and patient population.

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