Health Library Logo

Health Library

Cabotegravir (intramuscular route)

About this medication

Cabotegravir injection is used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Your doctor may do tests to make sure you are negative from HIV-1 infection before receiving this medicine for HIV-1 PrEP. This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Before using this medication

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cabotegravir injection in children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 35 kilograms (kg). Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cabotegravir injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution for patients receiving this medicine. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

How to use this medication

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle, usually at your buttocks. It is usually given once a month for the first 2 months, then once every 2 months. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and instructions for use. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Read it again each time you receive the injection in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Your doctor may tell you to take 1 tablet of cabotegravir once a day for at least 28 days before receiving your first injection. This will allow your doctor to see how well you will tolerate this medicine. Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Address: 506/507, 1st Main Rd, Murugeshpalya, K R Garden, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560075

Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.

Made in India, for the world