Dosage and Administration Overview

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CABENUVA contains cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial and rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial [see Dosage Forms and Strengths (3)].

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CABENUVA must be administered by a healthcare provider by gluteal intramuscular injection [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)].

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CABENUVA may be initiated with oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine prior to the intramuscular injections or the patient may proceed directly to injection of CABENUVA without an oral lead-in [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

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CABENUVA can be injected monthly or every 2 months [see Dosage and Administration (2.4, 2.5)]. Healthcare providers should discuss these 2 dosing options with the patient prior to starting CABENUVA and decide which injection dosing frequency would be the most appropriate option for the patient [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Microbiology (12.4), Clinical Studies (14.1)].

Adherence to CABENUVA

Prior to starting CABENUVA, healthcare providers should carefully select patients who agree to the required monthly or every‑2-month injection dosing schedule and counsel patients about the importance of adherence to scheduled dosing visits to help maintain viral suppression and reduce the risk of viral rebound and potential development of resistance with missed doses [see Dosage and Administration (2.1), Warnings and Precautions (5.6), Microbiology (12.4)].

Optional Oral Lead-in Dosing to Assess Tolerability of CABENUVA in Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older and Weighing at Least 35 kg

The healthcare provider and patient may decide to use an oral lead-in with oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine prior to the initiation of CABENUVA to assess the tolerability of cabotegravir and rilpivirine, or the healthcare provider and patient may proceed directly to injection of CABENUVA without the use of an oral lead-in.

If oral lead-in is used, the recommended oral lead-in daily dose is one 30-mg tablet of VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and one 25-mg tablet of EDURANT (rilpivirine) taken with a meal for approximately 1 month (at least 28 days), followed by intramuscular initiation injections of CABENUVA. See Tables 1 and 2 for recommended oral lead-in and monthly or every-2-month intramuscular injection dosing schedule for CABENUVA [see Dosage and Administration (2.4, 2.5)].

Recommended Monthly Gluteal Intramuscular Injection Dosing with CABENUVA in Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older and Weighing at Least 35 kg

Initiation Injections (CABENUVA 600-mg/900-mg Kit)

Initiate injections on the last day of current antiretroviral therapy or oral lead-in, if used [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. The recommended initiation injection doses of CABENUVA are a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine. Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)]. Continuation injections should be initiated a month after the initiation injections.

Continuation Injections (CABENUVA 400-mg/600-mg Kit)

After the initiation injections, the recommended monthly continuation injection doses of CABENUVA are a single 400-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 600-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine at each visit (Table 1). Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)]. Patients may be given CABENUVA up to 7 days before or after the date the patient is scheduled to receive monthly injections.

Recommended Every-2-Month Gluteal Intramuscular Injection Dosing with CABENUVA in Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older and Weighing at Least 35 kg

Initiation Injections (CABENUVA 600-mg/900-mg Kit)

Initiate injections on the last day of current antiretroviral therapy or oral lead-in, if used [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. The recommended initiation injection doses of CABENUVA are a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine 1 month apart for 2 consecutive months (Table 2). Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)]. Patients may be given CABENUVA up to 7 days before or after the date the patient is scheduled to receive the second initiation injections.

Continuation Injections (CABENUVA 600-mg/900-mg Kit)

After the 2 initiation doses given consecutively 1 month apart (Months 1 and 2), the recommended continuation injection doses (Month 4 onwards) of CABENUVA are a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine administered every 2 months (Table 2). Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)]. Patients may be given CABENUVA up to 7 days before or after the date the patient is scheduled to receive the injections.

Table 2. Recommended Dosing Schedule with Optional Oral Lead-in or Direct to Injection for Every-2-Month Injection

Dosing Recommendations When Switching from Monthly to Every-2-Month Intramuscular Injections

Patients switching from a monthly continuation injection schedule (a single 400-mg [2-mL] gluteal intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 600-mg [2-mL] intramuscular injection of rilpivirine) to an every-2-month continuation injection dosing schedule should receive a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine administered 1 month after the last monthly continuation injections and then every 2 months thereafter. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections should be administered at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)].

Dosing Recommendations When Switching from Every-2-Month to Monthly Intramuscular Injections

Patients switching from an every-2-month continuation injection schedule (a single 600-mg [3-mL] intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg [3-mL] intramuscular injection of rilpivirine) to a monthly continuation dosing schedule should receive a single 400-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 600-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine 2 months after the last every-2‑month continuation injection and then monthly thereafter. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections should be administered at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration (2.9)].

Recommended Dosing Schedule for Missed Injections

Adherence to the injection dosing schedule is strongly recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Patients who miss a scheduled injection visit should be clinically reassessed to ensure resumption of therapy remains appropriate. Refer to Table 3 for dosing recommendations after missed injections.

Planned Missed Injections for Patients on the Monthly Dosing Schedule

If a patient plans to miss a scheduled injection visit by more than 7 days, VOCABRIA in combination with EDURANT once daily may be used for up to 2 months to replace missed injection visits, or any other fully suppressive oral antiretroviral regimen may be used until injections are resumed. The recommended oral daily dose is one 30-mg tablet of VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and one 25-mg tablet of EDURANT (rilpivirine). Take VOCABRIA with EDURANT at approximately the same time each day with a meal.

The first dose of oral therapy should be taken 1 month (+/-7 days) after the last injection dose of CABENUVA and continued until the day injection dosing is restarted. Refer to Table 3 for injection dosing recommendations. For oral therapy with VOCABRIA and EDURANT of durations greater than 2 months, an alternative oral regimen is recommended.

Unplanned Missed Injections for Patients on the Monthly Dosing Schedule

If monthly injections are missed or delayed by more than 7 days and oral therapy has not been taken in the interim, clinically reassess the patient to determine if resumption of injection dosing remains appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. If injection dosing will be continued, see Table 3 for dosing recommendations.

Planned Missed Injections for Patients on the Every-2-Month Dosing Schedule

If a patient plans to miss a scheduled injection visit by more than 7 days, VOCABRIA in combination with EDURANT once daily may be used for up to 2 months to replace 1 missed injection visit, or any other fully suppressive oral antiretroviral regimen may be used until injections are resumed. The recommended oral daily dose is one 30‑mg tablet of VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and one 25‑mg tablet of EDURANT (rilpivirine). Take VOCABRIA with EDURANT at approximately the same time each day with a meal.

The first dose of oral therapy should be taken approximately 2 months after the last injection dose of CABENUVA and continued until the day injection dosing is restarted. Refer to Table 4 for injection dosing recommendations. For oral therapy with VOCABRIA and EDURANT of durations greater than 2 months, an alternative oral regimen is recommended.

Unplanned Missed Injections for Patients on the Every-2-Month Dosing Schedule

If a scheduled every-2-month injection visit is missed or delayed by more than 7 days and oral therapy has not been taken in the interim, clinically reassess the patient to determine if resumption of injection dosing remains appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. If the every-2‑month dosing schedule will be continued, see Table 4 for dosing recommendations.

Table 4. Injection Dosing Recommendations after Missed Injections for Patients on the Every‑2‑Month Dosing Schedule

Administration Instructions for Injections

Refer to the Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions with illustrations.

A complete dose requires 2 injections: 1 injection of cabotegravir and 1 injection of rilpivirine [see Dosage and Administration (2.4, 2.5)].

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are suspensions for gluteal intramuscular injection that do not need further dilution or reconstitution.

Administer each injection at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit. The ventrogluteal site is recommended. A dorsogluteal approach (upper outer quadrant) is acceptable, if preferred by the healthcare professional. Do not administer by any other route or anatomical site. Consider the body mass index (BMI) of the patient to ensure that the needle length is sufficient to reach the gluteus muscle. Longer needle lengths (not included in the dosing kit) may be required for patients with higher BMI (example: >30 kg/m2) to ensure that injections are administered intramuscularly as opposed to subcutaneously. The administration order of cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections is not important.

Before preparing the injections, remove CABENUVA from the refrigerator and wait at least 15 minutes to allow the medicines to come to room temperature. The vials may remain in the carton at room temperature for up to 6 hours; do not put back into the refrigerator. If not used within 6 hours, the medication must be discarded.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. The cabotegravir vial has a brown tint to the glass that may limit visual inspection. Discard CABENUVA if either medicine exhibits particulate matter or discoloration.

Shake each vial of CABENUVA vigorously so that the suspensions look uniform before injecting. Small air bubbles are expected and acceptable.

Once the suspensions have been drawn into the respective syringes, the injections should be administered as soon as possible, but may remain in the syringes for up to 2 hours. The filled syringes should not be placed in the refrigerator. If the medicine remains in the syringes for more than 2 hours, the filled syringes and needles must be discarded [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)].