Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) is a long-acting combination medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in certain adults and teens. It includes two injections — cabotegravir and rilpivirine — which are from different classes of antiviral medications. A healthcare professional gives both shots in the buttock muscle either once a month or every other month. It’s meant for people whose HIV is already well controlled and who haven’t had treatment failure. The most common side effects are injection-site reactions, such as pain, redness, and hardening of the skin where the shot is given.
Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) is a combination of 2 medications:
| Common Brands | Cabenuva |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiretroviral |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Some people have had serious allergic reactions while taking medications that contain cabotegravir and rilpivirine, like Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine). These reactions can include rare but life-threatening conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can cause rash, fever, and problems with organs like your liver.
If you notice signs of a serious reaction — such as a bad rash, fever, tiredness, muscle pain, mouth sores, red or swollen eyes, face swelling, or trouble breathing — get medical help right away. To help lower this risk, your prescriber might have you take Vocabria (cabotegravir) and Edurant (rilpivirine) tablets first before starting injections.
People who receive Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) can sometimes experience a serious reaction right after the injection. This can include dizziness, trouble breathing, chest or back pain, stomach cramps, a rash, or numbness in the mouth. Most reactions are mild and usually go away within a few minutes. Your care team will watch you for about 10 minutes after each injection to make sure the medication is safe for you.
Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) can sometimes cause serious liver problems, but this is rare. Your risk might be higher if you've had liver problems before. Be sure to tell your prescriber about your medical history before starting this medication so they can help you take it safely. While you're taking Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine), you might need regular blood tests to check your liver. Call your prescriber right away if you notice signs of liver damage, like feeling very tired, pain in the upper right side of your stomach, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine.
Mood changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts of behavior, have been reported in some people taking Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine). If you or someone close to you notices any changes in your mood, call your prescriber right away. They will help decide if it’s safe for you to keep taking Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine).
Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) can interact with many other medications. These interactions can lead to side effects, making the medication not work as it should for preventing HIV. Before and while taking Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine), tell your prescriber about everything you take — prescription, over-the-counter products, and supplements — so they can help manage any possible interactions.
After you stop taking Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine), small amounts of the medication can stay in your body for up to 12 months or longer. That’s why it’s very important to stick to your injection schedule — either every month or every other month. Missing doses can raise your risk of getting HIV and make the virus harder to treat if you do get infected.
Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) is approved for adults and teens ages 12 and older, weighing at least 35 kg (77 lbs). The dose depends on how often you get the injections.
*Note: Before starting Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine), your prescriber might have you take Vocabria (cabotegravir) and Edurant (rilpivirine) tablets by mouth for about a month to make sure you can tolerate the injections.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cabenuva (cabotegravir / rilpivirine) will not be safe for you to take.
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Cabenuva is made by ViiV Healthcare.
It's possible for Cabenuva to cause weight gain, but less than 2% of people reported this side effect in studies. After 48 weeks, people taking Cabenuva gained about 3 lbs. If you have questions about weight changes, speak to your prescriber.
In clinical studies, Cabenuva worked just as well as taking daily HIV pills at keeping the virus at undetectable levels, with over 90% of people staying undetectable. To stay protected, it’s important to get your injections on time every month or every other month, depending on your schedule.
Yes, Cabenuva was FDA approved in 2021 as the first complete long-acting treatment for HIV.
Cabenuva is given as two injections — one with cabotegravir and one with rilpivirine — into the buttock muscle. A healthcare professional will give you both shots either once a month or every other month. The injections are given on the same day, either on opposite sides of your buttocks or at least 2 cm apart in the same buttock.
Though anxiety isn’t a common side effect of Cabenuva, a small number of people in clinical trials reported feeling anxious, along with mood changes and depression. If you start feeling anxious or notice any changes in your mood after starting this medication, talk to your prescriber.
How long you take Cabenuva depends on what you and your care team decide is best for you. Some people stay on it for a long time, as long as it keeps working and doesn’t cause side effects. Your prescriber will check how you're doing and let you know if you should keep taking it or make changes. Always follow their instructions and try not to miss any doses.
Both Cabenuva and Biktarvy (bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide) are combination antiviral medications used to treat HIV, but they have some key differences. For one, they contain different antiviral medications and are taken in different ways. Cabenuva is a long-acting injection given by a healthcare professional, while Biktarvy is a daily tablet taken by mouth. Biktarvy is approved for people who weigh at least 30 lbs, but Cabenuva is only approved for people who weigh 77 lbs or more. Talk to your prescriber to learn more about how these medications compare.
