You may have already heard about an injectable HIV treatment called Cabenuva, which was first approved by the FDA back in January 2021 for once monthly injections. While this was exciting news in the field of HIV treatments, some were skeptical that the once monthly injections were simply impractical for most, as it would require the patient going to their doctor or a treatment center once a month. This may sound easy but for some it can create an obstacle.
That is why it was welcomed news when the FDA recently approved Cabenuva for injections once every two months.
Cabenuva contains two active anti-retrovirals: Cabotegravir, an integrase inhibitor, and Rilpivirine, a non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
While the injections are intended for every 2 months, there is a 30 day lead-in where the patient must take the oral medication before switching to the injections. Then, the patient will proceed to the first injection followed by a 2nd injection given 30 days later. After this 2nd injection, the injections will then be given every two months.
Viiv, the company that makes Cabenuva, noted that Cabenuva is indicated for HIV positive patients who are virologically suppressed and on a stable regimen, with no history of prior treatments not working and with no known or suspected resistance to either cabotegravir or rilpivirine.
The most common adverse reactions observed after receiving the injection were dizziness, fatigue, headaches, injection site reactions, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, pyrexia, rash, and sleep disorders.
If you are HIV positive and this is something you may be interested in, talk to your medical provider.
Jeremiah Robinson is a certified and licensed physician associate with T Douglas Gurley MD in Atlanta, GA.