Generic Name: cabotegravir

Pronunciation: N/A

Abbreviation: N/A

Other Market Name: N/A

Drug Class: Integrase Inhibitors

Company: ViiV Healthcare

Approval Status: Approved

Generic Version Available: No

Experimental Code: N/A


Drug Indication

Apretude is approved for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds. It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as PrEP for HIV-negative men, women and transgender individuals at risk for sexually acquired HIV. Click here for the CDC PrEP guidelines, updated in 2021.


General Info

Apretude, cabotegravirApretude (extended-release cabotegravir) is the first long-acting injectable regimen approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationfor the prevention of HIV. The drug is in a category of antirviral medications called integrase inhibitors.


Dosage

Adult Dose: Apretude is initiated with two 600 mg injections given one month apart for the first two months. After the second initiation injection, injections are given every two months. Alternatively, oral cabotegravir (Vocabria) may be taken for four weeks before the injections.

Pediatric Dose: N/A

Dosing Info: Apretude is given as a single injection in the buttocks administered by a health care worker every other month.


Side Effects

The most common side effect of Apretude is injection site reactions, including pain, redness or swelling. The Apretude prescribing information includes precautions about rare but potentially serious adverse effects, including hypersensitivity reactions, hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and depression.


Drug Interactions

Refer to the full prescribing information for important drug interactions with Apretude. Some drugs may significantly decrease plasma concentrations of cabotegravir. 


For More Info: https://gskpro.com/content/dam/global/hcpportal/en_US/Prescribing_Information/Apretude/pdf/APRETUDE-PI-PIL-IFU.PDF

Last Reviewed: March 20, 2023