Cabotegravir Oral Tablets

What is this medication?

CABOTEGRAVIR (cab oh teg ra veer) is an antiretroviral medication. It treats HIV in combination with other medications. It is also used with safe sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV in high-risk persons. This medication is not a cure for HIV. This medication can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading HIV to others.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): VOCABRIA

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, muscle pain, cough, headache, fatigue
• Liver disease
• Mental health disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to cabotegravir, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

HIV treatment: Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it with food. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed on the prescription label. Do not skip doses. Skipping doses can make the HIV virus resistant to this and other medications. Keep taking this therapy unless your care team tells you to stop.

HIV prevention: Take this medication by mouth with water. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed on the prescription label. Do not skip doses. Keep taking this therapy unless your care team tells you to stop.

Take products with aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc in them at a different time of day than this medication. Take these products 2 hours BEFORE or 4 hours AFTER this medication.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following medications:

• Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine

This medication may also interact with the following medications:

• Antacids, vitamins, or other products that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your care team. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medication.

If you are taking this medication to reduce your risk of getting HIV, you will need an HIV test before starting this medication.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your care team about how to stop the spread of HIV.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, muscle pain, cough, headache, fatigue
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.