Apretude (Cabotegravir) for HIV

Overview
Apretude is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection. You must test negative for HIV-1 before starting Apretude and before each subsequent injection. Apretude is also known by its drug name, cabotegravir.

Apretude belongs to a class of drugs known as HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI). It works by blocking an enzyme called integrase, which HIV uses to insert its genetic material into human cells. By inhibiting this enzyme, cabotegravir prevents the virus from multiplying and can reduce the risk of HIV infection.

How do I take it?
Apretude is given as an intramuscular (into a muscle) injection into the buttocks. The dosing schedule begins with a single injection once per month for two months, followed by an injection every two months. The medication should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
According to FDA prescribing information, the most common side effects of Apretude include injection site reactions, diarrhea, headache, fever, fatigue, sleep disorders, nausea, dizziness, flatulence, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle pain, rash, decreased appetite, drowsiness, back pain, and upper respiratory tract infection.

Rare but serious side effects may include the development of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants if you take Apretude with undiagnosed HIV-1 infection. Other rare but serious side effects may include hypersensitivity reactions, liver damage, and depressive disorders. Individuals should be tested for HIV-1 infection prior to and prior to each injection of Apretude. 

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Apretude — ViiV Healthcare

Cabotegravir Injection — MedlinePlus