If you are someone who is being treated for HIV , you are probably well aware of the responsibility and sometimes inconvenience of taking daily pills . But with the advancement of medical science, new treatments have now come into play. So, today we will talk about a vaccine that is injected once a month or every two months instead of daily pills. This is the vaccine made from a combination of two drugs called Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine.
Simply put, what kind of medicine is this?
This is a combination of two drugs called Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine . These are two types of drugs in the ``Antiretroviral`` class that work against the HIV virus. The main function of this vaccine is to control the spread of the HIV virus inside your body, that is, to control the multiplication of the virus. To be precise, this is to limit the growth of the virus and give your immune system some relief.
But this is very important: This vaccine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Also, while you are taking this treatment, there is still a chance that you can pass the HIV virus to someone else. That is why it is essential to practice safe sex. It also does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ).
This vaccine is usually marketed under the brand name ``(CABENUVA)``.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting vaccinations
Before deciding if this treatment is right for you, your doctor will need to know your complete health history . Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about them honestly and completely .
- Heart disease : If you have or have had heart disease.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver-related condition (e.g. hepatitis).
- Mental health problems: If you have had a mental health condition such as depression in the past or are currently receiving treatment.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are currently pregnant or are expecting to become pregnant in the near future.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother.
This information is very important for the success of the treatment and your safety.
How to get this vaccine? And what to be careful about
This is not a vaccine you can give yourself at home.
- Where it is given: This vaccine is given in a hospital or clinic by a trained doctor or nurse.
- How it is given: It is injected into your muscle.
- Don't miss a dose: This is the most important thing. It is essential to get the vaccine on time. If you skip doses, the HIV virus can become resistant to this medicine and other HIV medicines. Simply put, the virus can become resistant to this medicine and the medicine can stop working. So, keep taking this medicine on time until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Giving to children: This vaccine can be recommended in selected cases for young children over the age of 12. However, it requires special medical supervision.
What to do in an emergency?
- In case of overdose: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- If you miss a dose: If you are unable to get your vaccine on the scheduled date, call your doctor or clinic immediately and let them know. Get advice on when to get your next dose.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only . Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some other medications you are taking can affect the effectiveness of this vaccine. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements.
Let's explain this further with the table below.
| Drug category | Examples and descriptions |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken with this vaccine | |
| Some medicines given for fit | Drugs such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin. |
| Dexamethasone | (If taking more than a single dose) |
| Some medicines for tuberculosis | Rifabutin, Rifampin, Rifapentine |
| An herbal medicine | St. John's wort |
| Medications that can cause problems and should therefore only be taken on medical advice | |
| Some antibiotics | Azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin |
| Methadone | A medicine given to drug addicts. |
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you take.
What should I be especially careful about when getting the vaccine?
- Regular medical check-ups: Your doctor will need to see you regularly to monitor your treatment progress. They will also order some blood work . These will help determine how the medication is affecting your body and how well the virus is being controlled.
- Preventing the spread of HIV: As we've said before, this treatment does not cure HIV. The virus can still be spread to others through blood or sexual contact. Talk openly with your doctor about ways to prevent this.
- Serious skin reactions: This is very important. Some people may develop a severe skin reaction a few weeks or months after starting this medicine. If you develop a skin rash with symptoms such as a fever or a cold , call your doctor right away. These rashes may turn red or purple, then blister and the skin may start to peel. Also, if you have a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, that is also a serious sign.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects. Some are serious, some are common. Let's break them down into their specifics.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right part of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness. |
| Other serious symptoms | Fever and swollen lymph nodes with skin lesions. |
| Reactions after vaccination | Severe back pain, chest pain, headache, and difficulty breathing after vaccination. |
| Mental changes | Thoughts of harming yourself, thoughts of suicide, worsening of mental state, feelings of depression. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| Common problems | Diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea. |
| Discomfort at the injection site | Pain, redness, bruising, or discomfort at the site. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, please tell your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- The Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine vaccine is a treatment that controls the spread of HIV in the body, but is not a cure .
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- It is very important to get vaccinated on time. Skipping doses can cause the virus to become resistant to the medication.
- If you experience serious side effects such as severe skin rashes, signs of liver damage (e.g., yellowing of the eyes), or severe changes in mental status, seek medical advice immediately.
- HIV can still be transmitted to others while taking this treatment, so always follow the necessary safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
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