Cabenuva Cost Side Effects Uses and More
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† An active drug is an ingredient that causes a medication to work. Questions for your doctor You may have questions about Cabenuva and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:Before your appointment, write down questions such as:How will Cabenuva affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you. Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.
All About Cabenuva
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA — Updated on September 3, 2022What is Cabenuva
If you have HIV, your doctor may suggest treatment with Cabenuva. It’s a prescription medication used to treat HIV in adults and in certain children. HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system. Without treatment, it’s likely to develop into AIDS. This condition causes your immune system to become too weak to defend your body against infection. For more information about Cabenuva’s uses, see the “Is Cabenuva used for HIV ” section below.Cabenuva basics
Cabenuva contains two extended-release active drugs:*cabotegravir, which is an integrase inhibitorrilpivirine, which is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) * The active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work. Extended release means the drug is released into your body gradually. Cabenuva comes as a liquid suspension that’s injected into your muscle by a healthcare professional. It’s not available as a generic. Read on to learn more about Cabenuva, including its cost, side effects, uses, and more.How much does Cabenuva cost
Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors, including what your insurance plan covers. The drug’s cost per month and cost with insurance may vary from one person to the next. If you have questions about how to pay for your medication, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the Cabenuva manufacturer’s website to see if they have support options. And check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.What are Cabenuva s side effects
Like most drugs, Cabenuva may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common ones, but they don’t include all possible side effects. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:your ageother health conditions you haveother medications you take Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Cabenuva. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects Cabenuva can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information. Mild side effects of Cabenuva that have been reported include:bone or muscle paindizzinessfeverfeeling tiredheadachenauseaproblems sleepingrashreactions at the injection site, such as:painswellingitchingbruisingredness or discolorationweight gain* * For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below. Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Cabenuva can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Serious side effects of Cabenuva that have been reported include:liver problemsdepression and other mood changes*post-injection side effects*allergic reaction* * For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.Side effect focus
Learn more about some of the side effects Cabenuva may cause.Post-Injection side effects
It’s possible to have a serious reaction that starts within minutes after you receive an injection of Cabenuva. Also called a post-injection reaction, this side effect was very rare in studies. Symptoms may include:back or chest painchanges in blood pressurefeeling anxiousfeeling lightheaded or as if you’re going to pass outa numb feeling in your mouthbelly crampstrouble breathing, wheezing, or coughingsweatinghives (raised, itchy welts) or another skin rashflushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) These symptoms typically go away within minutes, but may be severe in some cases. What might help You’ll receive Cabenuva injections from a doctor or another healthcare professional. Each dose requires two injections into a muscle of your buttocks. You’ll be monitored for about 10 minutes after your dose for injection reactions. If you have any negative side effects, your doctor can help make you more comfortable. This may include:monitoring you and having you lie down if you feel faintrecommending a medication to help relieve pain or other symptoms Your doctor or pharmacist can answer any questions you may have about Cabenuva and injection side effects.Weight gain
Weight gain is a possible side effect of Cabenuva treatment, but it wasn’t significant in the drug’s studies. On average, people who received this drug gained about 2 to 3 pounds. What might help If you’re concerned about your weight, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help manage your weight.Depression and other mood changes
Depression and other mood changes are rare but possibly serious side effects that treatment with Cabenuva may cause. The following mood changes were reported in people treated with this drug in studies:depressionfeeling generally unhappy or uneasymood swingsnegative thoughtssuicidal thoughts or behaviors Symptoms of depression or other mood changes Cabenuva may cause can include:feeling anxious or restlessfeeling hopeless or sadfeeling worthless or having low self-esteemthoughts of self-harm What might help Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help if you notice symptoms of depression or mood changes during your Cabenuva treatment. A doctor can help treat your symptoms and determine whether you should continue using this medication.Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741. Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so. If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely. If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Cabenuva. Allergic reactions weren’t reported during studies of Cabenuva, but they have been reported after the drug was approved. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:skin rashitchinessflushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feetswelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Cabenuva. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.Is Cabenuva used for HIV
Cabenuva is a brand-name medication prescribed for HIV. It can be prescribed for use in adults and in children who are ages 12 years or older and weigh at least 35 kilograms (about 77 pounds). HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system. It can be contracted through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal or rectal fluids. Without treatment, it’s likely to develop into AIDS. This is a condition which causes your immune system to become too weak to defend your body against infection. There currently isn’t a cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, such as treatment with Cabenuva, life expectancy for people with HIV is nearly the same as for those without it. Cabenuva should only be used if HIV:has been effectively treated with other medicationsis at a low or undetectable level in your bloodis not resistant to either of the drugs in Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine) Your doctor will likely order a blood test to check your HIV levels before prescribing Cabenuva for you. Cabenuva contains two extended-release* medications for treating HIV.Cabotegravir is an integrase inhibitor. This kind of medication stops HIV from making copies of itself, which lowers the level of the virus in your blood.Rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). This drug also stops the virus from copying itself, but in a different way than integrase inhibitors. For about 1 month before starting Cabenuva treatment, you might take cabotegravir (Vocabria) and rilpivirine (Edurant) tablets by mouth. This is sometimes prescribed to make sure your body can tolerate these two drugs before you start receiving Cabenuva injections. For more information, see “How is Cabenuva administered ” below. * Extended release means the drug is released into your body gradually over time.What is Cabenuva s dosage
The dosage of Cabenuva you receive will be determined by your doctor. Below is some general information about this drug and its dosage.Form
Cabenuva comes as a liquid suspension that’s injected into your gluteal (butt) muscle by a healthcare professional.Recommended dosage
You’ll receive Cabenuva injections either once per month or once every other month. Each dose is made up of two injections. You and your doctor will discuss which dosing schedule is best for you.Children s dosage
Children receiving Cabenuva treatment will receive injections either once per month or once every other month. Each dose is made up of two injections. Children will have one or two starting doses of Cabenuva before they start their ongoing dosage schedule. Your child’s doctor will recommend the dosing schedule that’s best for your child.Questions about Cabenuva s dosage
Below are answers to some common questions about Cabenuva’s dosage.What if I miss a dose of Cabenuva? If you miss an appointment for a Cabenuva injection, call your doctor right away. They can help schedule a make-up appointment as soon as possible.Will I need to use Cabenuva long term? If you and your doctor agree that Cabenuva is working well for you, you’ll likely use the drug long term.How long does Cabenuva take to work? Cabenuva begins working as soon as you receive a dose. You won’t feel it working, but your doctor will continue to monitor the level of HIV in your blood. This is to make sure it stays low or undetectable throughout your treatment.Should I eat before receiving my Cabenuva injection? Cabenuva injections aren’t affected by food. If you’re taking cabotegravir and rilpivirine tablets by mouth, it’s important to take these medications with food, however.What are some frequently asked questions about Cabenuva
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Cabenuva.Is Cabenuva used for PrEP
No, Cabenuva is only used for treating active HIV infection. It isn’t used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP refers to drugs that help prevent HIV in those who don’t actually have the virus but are at high risk of contracting it. One of the active drugs in Cabenuva is cabotegravir. This is also the active drug in Apretude, which is used for PrEP. (The active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about PrEP, including medications such as Apretude and others approved for this use.How does Cabenuva work
How a drug works is referred to as its mechanism of action. Cabenuva contains two drugs: cabotegravir and rilpivirine, in an extended-release* injection. Each drug has its own mechanism of action:Cabotegravir is an integrase inhibitor. This kind of medication blocks an enzyme (a protein that helps with chemical changes in your body) called integrase. Blocking integrase stops HIV from making copies of itself, which lowers the level of the virus in your blood.Rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). It also stops the HIV virus from copying itself, but in a different way than cabotegravir and other integrase inhibitors. Rilpivirine blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Blocking this enzyme keeps HIV from making copies of itself, which helps to lower the level of HIV in your body. If you’d like to learn more about how Cabenuva works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. * Extended release means the drug is released into your body gradually over time.What should I know about Cabenuva vs Biktarvy
Biktarvy and Cabenuva are both prescribed to treat HIV in adults and certain children. But these drugs have some differences:Cabenuva can be prescribed for children who are ages 12 years or older and weigh at least 35 kilograms (about 77 pounds). Biktarvy can be prescribed for children who weigh at least 14 kilograms (about 31 pounds).Cabenuva is given as an extended-release injection into your muscle, and Biktarvy comes as a tablet that you swallow. If you’d like to learn more about how Cabenuva and Biktarvy compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.Will I need to store Cabenuva
No, you won’t need to store Cabenuva. You’ll receive Cabenuva injections from a healthcare professional, at a location such as a doctor’s office or clinic. They’ll handle and store your Cabenuva prescription, as well as prepare and give you the injection.Does Cabenuva cure HIV
No, Cabenuva isn’t a cure for HIV. There currently isn’t a cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, such as treatment with Cabenuva, life expectancy for people with HIV is nearly the same as for those without it. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about treatment options for HIV.How is Cabenuva administered
Your doctor will explain how Cabenuva will be given to you. They’ll also explain how much you’ll be given and how often.Receiving Cabenuva
Cabenuva comes as a liquid suspension that’s injected into your muscle by a doctor or another healthcare professional. You’ll receive Cabenuva injections at a location such as your doctor’s office or clinic.Receiving Cabenuva with other drugs
For about 1 month before starting Cabenuva, your doctor might prescribe immediate-release* cabotegravir (Vocabria) and rilpivirine (Edurant) tablets by mouth once per day. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are the two active drugs† in Cabenuva, but Cabenuva contains them in extended-release form.* Your doctor might prescribe cabotegravir and rilpivirine tablets to make sure your body can tolerate these drugs before you start receiving Cabenuva injections. * Immediate release means the drug is released into your body right away after taking a dose. Extended release means it’s released gradually over time.† An active drug is an ingredient that causes a medication to work. Questions for your doctor You may have questions about Cabenuva and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:Before your appointment, write down questions such as:How will Cabenuva affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you. Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.