What is APRETUDE? | APRETUDE (cabotegravir)

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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APRETUDE

*APRETUDE is given every other month by a healthcare provider after initiation injections have been given 1 month apart for 2 consecutive months. Stay under a provider’s care while receiving APRETUDE. You must receive it as scheduled. If you will miss a scheduled injection by more than 7 days, call your provider right away. 

^†Based on two separate clinical studies in which HIV transmissions occurred 3x less often in cisgender men and transgender women, and 12x less often in cisgender women receiving APRETUDE compared to once-daily TRUVADA.

PrEP=pre-exposure prophylaxis.

HOW IS APRETUDE DIFFERENT?

APRETUDE is an injection given by your healthcare provider every other month^‡ instead of a pill you take every day.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is very important to take your PrEP as prescribed to effectively help protect against HIV.

^‡After 2 once-monthly initiation injections.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important thing I should know about APRETUDE?

Important information for people who receive APRETUDE for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help reduce their risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection:

Before receiving APRETUDE to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1, you must be HIV-1 negative to start APRETUDE. Do not receive APRETUDE unless you are tested and confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

Some HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while receiving APRETUDE. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include: tiredness; joint or muscle aches; sore throat; rash; enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin; fever; headache; vomiting or diarrhea; or night sweats

While you are receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP:

APRETUDE does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting STIs
You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP
- Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away
- Your risk of getting HIV-1 is lower if your partners with HIV-1 are taking effective treatment
- Get tested for HIV-1 with each APRETUDE injection or when your healthcare provider tells you. You should not miss any HIV-1 tests. If you become HIV-1 infected and continue receiving APRETUDE because you do not know you are HIV-1 infected, the HIV-1 infection may become harder to treat
- Get tested for other STIs. These infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you
- Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to reduce your HIV-1 risk
- Do not miss any injections of APRETUDE. Missing injections increases your risk of getting HIV-1 infection

Who should not receive APRETUDE?

Do not receive APRETUDE if you:

already have HIV-1 or do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE can only help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection before you are infected. If you have HIV-1 and receive only APRETUDE, over time, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat
are allergic to cabotegravir
are taking certain medicines: carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifampin; or rifapentine

What are the possible side effects of APRETUDE?

APRETUDE may cause serious side effects:

Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with APRETUDE. Stop receiving APRETUDE and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; trouble breathing; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
Liver problems. Liver problems have happened in people with or without a history of liver problems or other risk factors. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow; dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area; or itching
Depression or mood changes. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless; feeling anxious or restless; have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself

The most common side effects of APRETUDE include:

Pain, tenderness, hardened mass or lump, swelling, bruising, redness, itching, warmth, loss of sensation at the injection site, abscess, and discoloration; diarrhea; headache; fever; tiredness; sleep problems; nausea; dizziness; passing gas; stomach pain; vomiting; muscle pain; rash; loss of appetite; drowsiness; back pain; or upper respiratory infection
These are not all the possible side effects of
APRETUDE. Call your healthcare provider for
medical advice about side effects

Before receiving APRETUDE, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have ever had a skin rash or an allergic reaction to medicines that contain cabotegravir
have or have had liver problems
have ever had mental health problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if APRETUDE will harm your unborn baby. APRETUDE can remain in your body for up to 12 months or longer after the last injection. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while or after receiving APRETUDE
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. APRETUDE may pass into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while or after receiving APRETUDE

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Some medicines may interact with APRETUDE. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider

How will I receive APRETUDE?

APRETUDE will be given to you as an injection by your healthcare provider
APRETUDE is initially given as an injection into the muscle of your buttock 1 time every month for the first 2 months, then as an injection 1 time every 2 months
Before receiving your first APRETUDE injection, your healthcare provider may have you take 1 oral cabotegravir tablet 1 time a day for 1 month (at least 28 days) to assess how well you tolerate cabotegravir
APRETUDE is a long-acting medicine and may stay in your body for 12 months or longer after your last injection
Stay under the care of a healthcare provider while receiving APRETUDE. It is important that you receive APRETUDE as scheduled
If you miss or plan to miss a scheduled injection of APRETUDE by more than 7 days, call your healthcare provider right away to discuss your PrEP options
If you stop receiving APRETUDE, talk to your healthcare provider about other options to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report negative side effects to ViiV at www.gsk.public.reportum.com or 1-877-844-8872.

Please read the Patient Information for APRETUDE, including an Important Warning, and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

PMUS- CBTWCNT240120

Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the
ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of
prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report negative side effects to
ViiV at www.gsk.public.reportum.com or
1-877-844-8872.

Please read the Patient Information for APRETUDE, including an Important Warning, and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

PMUS-CBTWCNT240120

Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the
ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

This website is funded and developed by ViiV Healthcare.
This site is intended for US residents only.

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PMUS-CBTWCNT240119 April 2025
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