Did your doctor prescribe you a medicine called Cabotegravir? Or did you hear this name while researching ways to protect yourself from HIV? You probably have a lot of questions about this medicine. You might be wondering things like, "What does this do?", "How should I use it?", "Are there any side effects?" Don't worry. In this article, we will talk about Cabotegravir in a very simple, understandable, and friendly way.
Simply put, what is Cabotegravir?
Cabotegravir is a medicine that works against HIV infection. To be precise, it is
an antiviral medicine . This medicine is used for two main purposes. 1.
To manage HIV infection: If you are already infected with HIV, this medicine helps to control the spread of the virus in the body, that is, to limit the activity of the virus. This means that your immune system gets a great relief. 2.
To prevent HIV (PrEP): This is a very important thing. This medicine is used to reduce the risk of HIV infection for people who are at risk of getting it. We call this method
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) , which means a protective measure taken before exposure. This helps to protect against sexually transmitted HIV.
But remember this: Cabotegravir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS . Also, taking this medicine does not completely eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV to another person. Therefore, it is essential to continue to follow safe methods. Also, this medicine does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ).
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting Cabotegravir, it is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health. This information will determine how well this medicine is suitable for you and how it should be given. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to talk to your doctor about them.
| Health condition or problem | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|
| Liver disease | The liver plays a major role in removing many medications from the body. If your liver is weak, your medication dosage may need to be changed or other tests may need to be done. |
| Mental health conditions | In some cases, this medication can cause changes in your mental state. If you have a pre-existing mental health condition (such as depression), it is important to let your doctor know. |
| Symptoms such as fever, body aches, and cough | These could be signs of another infection. It is important to make sure you are completely healthy before starting the medication. |
| Allergies to Cabotegravir or any other ingredients | If you have an allergy to this medicine, another medicine, a food, or a dye, be sure to tell us about it. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is very important to take any medication during pregnancy with caution, so inform your doctor about your condition. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | The ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk, so talk to your doctor about this as well. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
The way you use Cabotegravir varies slightly depending on what you're taking it for, so it's important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
For HIV Treatment
Swallow this tablet with a glass of water. It is best to take it
with a meal . For best results, take your medicine every day, at the time and as directed by your doctor.
Never skip a dose of your medicine. If you do, the HIV virus can become resistant to this medicine and even other medicines. Simply put, the virus can become "addicted" to the medicine and become uncontrollable. Keep taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. For HIV Prevention (PrEP)
Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. However, you can take it with or without food . If you sometimes feel an upset stomach, it is better to take it with a meal. As with any treatment, never skip a dose . Continue taking the medicine as directed by your doctor. Very important! If you are taking antacids , vitamins , or other supplements that contain aluminum, calcium , iron , magnesium, or zinc , do not take them at the same time as Cabotegravir. Take these products 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking Cabotegravir. Be sure to follow this schedule. Otherwise, the minerals may reduce the absorption of Cabotegravir, making it less effective.
What if the dosage of the medicine increases? (Overdosage)
If you think you may have taken more medicine than you think, don't delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. What if I miss a dose? (Missed Dose)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once. Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Cabotegravir. Sometimes, Cabotegravir may be less effective, and other times, it may increase side effects. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins). Drugs that should never be taken with Cabotegravir Things to be especially careful about when taking with Cabotegravir
| Certain seizure medications | Eg: Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin |
| Rifampin | These are antibiotics usually given for infections such as tuberculosis. |
| Rifapentine | This is also an antibiotic given for infections such as tuberculosis. |
| Antacids, vitamins, and mineral-containing products | Anything containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc. (As mentioned earlier, take 2 hours before or 4 hours after). |
What should you be careful about when taking the medicine?
- Regular medical check-ups: Attend regular check-ups with your doctor. You may need to have blood tests to see how the medication is affecting your body.
- HIV testing: If you are taking this medication to prevent HIV (PrEP), you should have an HIV test to make sure you are not infected with HIV before starting the medication.
- Follow safe methods: HIV is transmitted through sexual contact and blood. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent HIV transmission while taking this medicine, and continue to follow those methods.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Cabotegravir can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them. Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediatelySide effects that may occur commonly, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and unusual tiredness. |
| Mood changes | Thoughts of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, increased depression, loss of happiness. |
| Diarrhea | Stomach pain |
| Dizziness | Trouble sleeping |
| Fatigue | Headache |
| Nausea | |
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Storage: Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Do not use expired medicine.
- Disposal: Expired or no longer needed medications should be disposed of. It is not good for these to end up in the environment. Ask your doctor for advice on this. Sometimes, you may be advised to remove the pills from the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds or soil, put them in a bag, seal it, and throw them in the trash. But do this only on medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- Cabotegravir is a medicine used to manage HIV infection and prevent it from getting worse (PrEP). It is not a cure for HIV.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the appointed time, without skipping any meals .
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and any medical conditions you are taking.
- If you are taking antacids or things that contain minerals such as calcium and iron, keep a specific gap between the time you take the Cabotegravir pill and the time you take them.
- If you experience serious side effects, such as signs of liver damage (yellowing of the skin, dark urine) or severe mental changes (depression, suicidal thoughts), seek medical advice immediately .
- While taking this medicine, it is very important to continue to follow safe methods to prevent HIV transmission.
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