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Apretude
Cabotegravir · Kit
Overview
Forms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryRegulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215499-001 | APRETUDE | SUSPENSION, EXTENDED RELEASE | CABOTEGRAVIR | Prescription | — | RLD RS |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookCodes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Patents and exclusivity
Source: Orange Book| Patent | Expires | Product | Substance | Use code | Submitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10927129 | April 28, 2026 | 001 | Yes | January 14, 2022 | |
| 8410103 | February 4, 2031 | 001 | Yes | January 14, 2022 | |
| 12138264 | September 15, 2031 | 001 | No | December 5, 2024 | |
| 11224597 | September 15, 2031 | 001 | No | February 10, 2022 |
| Code | Expires | Product |
|---|---|---|
| NCE | January 21, 2026 | 001 |
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 9 | Labeling | Approved | April 11, 2025 | Standard |
| Supplement | 8 | Efficacy | Approved | September 20, 2024 | Standard |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | December 13, 2023 | Standard |
| Supplement | 2 | Labeling | Approved | February 27, 2023 | Standard |
| Original application | 1 | Type 5 - New Formulation or New Manufacturer | Approved | December 20, 2021 | Priority |
Review documents
- 0 · Supplement · April 25, 2025
- 0 · Supplement · April 21, 2025
- 0 · Supplement · September 26, 2024
- 0 · Supplement · September 24, 2024
- 0 · Supplement · February 22, 2024
- 0 · Supplement · December 14, 2023
- 0 · Supplement · February 28, 2023
- 0 · Supplement · February 28, 2023
- 0 · Original application · September 9, 2022
- 0 · Original application · December 22, 2021
- 0 · Original application · December 20, 2021
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20250411). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Boxed Warning
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNING: RISK OF DRUG RESISTANCE WITH USE OF APRETUDE FOR HIV-1 PRE‐EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP) IN UNDIAGNOSED HIV-1 INFECTION Individuals must be tested for HIV-1 infection prior to initiating APRETUDE or oral cabotegravir, and with each subsequent injection of APRETUDE, using a test approved or cleared by the FDA for the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection. Drug-resistant HIV-1 variants have been identified with use of APRETUDE by individuals with undiagnosed HIV-1 infection. Do not initiate APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP unless negative infection status is confirmed. Individuals who acquire HIV-1 while receiving APRETUDE for PrEP must transition to a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . WARNING: RISK OF DRUG RESISTANCE WITH USE OF APRETUDE FOR HIV-1 PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP) IN UNDIAGNOSED HIV-1 INFECTION See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Individuals must be tested for HIV-1 infection prior to initiating APRETUDE or oral cabotegravir, and with each subsequent injection of APRETUDE, using a test approved or cleared by the FDA for the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection. Drug-resistant HIV-1 variants have been identified with use of APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP by individuals with undiagnosed HIV-1 infection. Do not initiate APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP unless negative infection status is confirmed. Individuals who acquire HIV-1 while receiving APRETUDE for PrEP must transition to a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen. ( 2.2 , 4 , 5.1 )
Recent Major Changes
openFDA Drug LabelingWarnings and Precautions, Hypersensitivity Reactions ( 5.4 ) 4/2025
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE APRETUDE is indicated for pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg who are at risk for HIV-1 acquisition. Individuals must have a negative HIV-1 test prior to initiating APRETUDE (with or without an oral lead-in with oral cabotegravir) for HIV-1 PrEP [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 , 2.4 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . APRETUDE is an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) indicated for PrEP to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg who are at risk for HIV-1 acquisition. Individuals must have a negative HIV-1 test prior to initiating APRETUDE (with or without an oral lead-in with oral cabotegravir) for HIV-1 PrEP. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • HIV-1 Screening: Screen all individuals for HIV-1 infection immediately prior to initiating APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP and prior to each injection while taking APRETUDE. ( 2.2 ) • Prior to initiating APRETUDE, an oral lead-in dosing may be used for approximately 1 month with the recommended dosage to assess the tolerability of APRETUDE. ( 2.4 ) • For gluteal intramuscular injection only. ( 2.5 , 2.7 ) • Recommended Dosing Schedule: Initiate APRETUDE with a single 600-mg (3-mL) injection given 1 month apart for 2 consecutive months on the last day of an oral lead-in if used or within 3 days and continue with the injections every 2 months thereafter. ( 2.5 ) 2.1 Dosage and Administration Overview • APRETUDE contains cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial [see Dosage Forms and Strengths ( 3 )] . • APRETUDE must be administered by a healthcare provider by gluteal intramuscular injection [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.7 )] . • APRETUDE may be initiated with oral cabotegravir prior to the intramuscular injections or the patient may proceed directly to injection of APRETUDE without an oral lead-in [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . 2.2 HIV-1 Screening for Individuals Receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Individuals must be tested for HIV-1 infection prior to initiating APRETUDE or oral cabotegravir, and with each subsequent injection of APRETUDE, using a test approved or cleared by the FDA for the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection. If an antigen/antibody-specific test is used and provides negative results, then such negative results should be confirmed using an RNA-specific assay, even if the results of the RNA-assay are available after APRETUDE or oral cabotegravir administration [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 2.3 Adherence to APRETUDE Prior to starting APRETUDE, healthcare providers should carefully select individuals who agree to the required injection dosing and testing schedule and counsel individuals about the importance of adherence to scheduled dosing visits to help reduce the risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection and development of resistance [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3 ), Microbiology ( 12.4 )] . 2.4 Optional Oral Lead-In Dosing to Assess Tolerability of APRETUDE The healthcare provider and individual may decide to use an oral lead-in with oral cabotegravir prior to the initiation of APRETUDE to assess the tolerability of cabotegravir or the healthcare provider and individual may proceed directly to injection of APRETUDE without the use of an oral lead-in [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )] . No safety and efficacy data are available for use of APRETUDE without an oral lead-in [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. However, in HIV-1 treatment clinical trials, data show that an oral lead-in is not needed to ensure adequate plasma cabotegravir exposure upon initiation of injections and that the safety and efficacy results of CABENUVA (cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension; rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension) were similar when administered with and without an oral lead-in. 2.5 Gluteal Intramuscular Injection Dosing with APRETUDE Initiation Injections If an oral lead-in is used, initiation injections should be administered on the last day of oral lead‐in or within 3 days thereafter. The recommended initiation injection doses of APRETUDE in individuals is a single 600‐mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of APRETUDE given 1 month apart for 2 consecutive months ( Table 1 and Table 2 ). Individuals may be given the second APRETUDE initiation injection up to 7 days before or after the date the individual is scheduled to receive the injections. Continuation Injections After the 2 initiation injection doses given consecutively 1 month apart, the recommended continuation injection dose of APRETUDE …
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: Single-dose vial containing 600 mg/3 mL (200 mg/mL) of cabotegravir extended‐release injectable suspension. Injection: Single-dose vial of 600 mg/3 mL (200 mg/mL) of cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension. ( 3 )
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS APRETUDE is contraindicated in individuals: • with unknown or positive HIV-1 status [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 )] . • with previous hypersensitivity reaction to cabotegravir [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . • receiving the following coadministered drugs for which significant decreases in cabotegravir plasma concentrations may occur due to uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 enzyme induction, which may result in reduced effectiveness [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 , 7.3 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] : o Anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin o Antimycobacterials: Rifampin, rifapentine • Unknown or positive HIV-1 status. ( 4 ) • Previous hypersensitivity reaction to cabotegravir. ( 4 ) • Coadministration with drugs where significant decreases in cabotegravir plasma concentrations may occur. ( 4 )
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Comprehensive management to reduce the risk of HIV-1 acquisition. ( 5.1 ) • Potential risk of developing resistance to APRETUDE if an individual acquires HIV-1 either before or while taking APRETUDE or following discontinuation of APRETUDE. Reassess risk of HIV-1 acquisition and test before each injection to confirm HIV-1 negative status. ( 5.2 ) • Residual concentrations of cabotegravir may remain in the systemic circulation of individuals up to 12 months or longer. ( 5.3 ) • Serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with cabotegravir and include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Discontinue APRETUDE immediately if signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions develop. ( 5.4 ) • Hepatotoxicity has been reported in individuals receiving cabotegravir. Clinical and laboratory monitoring should be considered. Discontinue APRETUDE if hepatotoxicity is suspected. ( 5.5 ) • Depressive disorders have been reported with APRETUDE. Prompt evaluation is recommended for depressive symptoms. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Comprehensive Management to Reduce the Risk of HIV-1 Infection Use APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP to reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy including adherence to the administration schedule and safer sex practices, including condoms, to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). APRETUDE is not always effective in preventing HIV-1 acquisition [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . The time from initiation of APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP to maximal protection against HIV-1 infection is unknown. Risk for HIV-1 acquisition includes behavioral, biological, or epidemiologic factors including, but not limited to, condomless sex, past or current STIs, self-identified HIV risk, having sexual partners of unknown HIV-1 viremic status, or sexual activity in a high prevalence area or network. Counsel individuals on the use of other prevention measures (e.g., consistent and correct condom use; knowledge of partner(s)’ HIV-1 status, including viral suppression status; regular testing for STIs that can facilitate HIV-1 transmission). Inform individuals about and support their efforts in reducing sexual risk behavior. Use APRETUDE to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV-1 only in individuals confirmed to be HIV‐1 negative [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . HIV-1 resistance substitutions may emerge in individuals with undiagnosed HIV‐1 infection who are taking only APRETUDE, because APRETUDE alone does not constitute a complete regimen for HIV-1 treatment [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] ; therefore, care should be taken to minimize the risk of initiating or continuing APRETUDE before confirming the individual is HIV-1 negative. • Prior to initiating APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP, ask seronegative individuals about recent (in past month) potential exposure events (e.g., condomless sex or condom breaking during sex with a partner of unknown HIV-1 status or unknown viremic status, a recent STI), and evaluate for current or recent signs or symptoms consistent with acute HIV-1 infection (e.g., fever, fatigue, myalgia, skin rash). • If recent (<1 month) exposures to HIV-1 are suspected or clinical symptoms consistent with acute HIV-1 infection are present, use a test approved or cleared by the FDA as an aid in the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection. When using APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP, HIV-1 testing should be repeated prior to each injection and upon diagnosis of any other STIs [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 , 2.5 )] . • If an HIV-1 test indicates possible HIV-1 infection, or if symptoms consistent with acute HIV-1 infection develop following an exposure event, additional HIV testing to determine HIV status is needed. If an individual has confirmed HIV-1 infection, then the individual must be transitioned to a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen. Counsel individuals without HIV-1 to strictly adhere to the recommended dosing and testing schedu …
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are described below and in other sections of the labeling: • Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Depressive disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] The most common adverse reactions (all grades) observed in at least 1% of participants receiving APRETUDE were injection site reactions, diarrhea, headache, pyrexia, fatigue, sleep disorders, nausea, dizziness, flatulence, abdominal pain, vomiting, myalgia, rash, decreased appetite, somnolence, back pain, and upper respiratory tract infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ViiV Healthcare at 1-877-844-8872 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice. Clinical Trials Experience in Adults The safety assessment of APRETUDE is based on the analysis of data from 2 international, multicenter, double-blind trials, HPTN 083 and HPTN 084 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . Adverse reactions were reported while on blinded study product following exposure to APRETUDE extended-release injectable suspension and oral cabotegravir tablets as oral lead-in. The median time on blinded study product in HPTN 083 was 65 weeks and 2 days (range: 1 day to 156 weeks and 1 day), with a total exposure on cabotegravir of 3,231 person‐years. The median time on blinded study product in HPTN 084 was 64 weeks and 1 day (range: 1 day to 153 weeks and 1 day), with a total exposure on cabotegravir of 2,009 person‐years. The most common adverse reactions regardless of severity reported in at least 1% of participants in HPTN 083 or HPTN 084 are presented in Table 4 . In HPTN 083, 6% of participants in the group receiving APRETUDE intramuscular injection every 2 months and 4% of participants receiving oral TRUVADA [emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)] once daily discontinued due to adverse events (all causality). Non-injection-site–associated adverse events leading to discontinuation and occurring in ≥1% of participants were increased alanine aminotransferase with APRETUDE and TRUVADA. In HPTN 084, 1% of participants receiving APRETUDE and 1% of participants receiving TRUVADA discontinued due to adverse events. The most commonly reported adverse event (all causality) leading to discontinuation was increased alanine aminotransferase (1.8 x ULN) or increase to ≥1.5 x baseline) 3% 3% 5% 4% Serum Lipids: Changes from baseline to Month 15 in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol to HDL ratio in HPTN 083 and HPTN 084 are presented in Table 7 . Table 7. Fasting Lipid Values, Median Change from Baseline a at Week 57, Reported in HPTN 083 and HPTN 084 a Nearly 60% of participants with baseline data available had Week 57 data available in both arms of both trials. Within each trial, baseline values were comparable among participants receiving APRETUDE and TRUVADA. HPTN 083 HPTN 084 APRETUDE TRUVADA APRETUDE TRUVADA Total cholesterol (mg/dL) +1.0 -10.0 +0.2 -3.9 LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) +1.0 -6.0 -1.1 -5.0 HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) -0.2 -3.0 -0.8 -2.6 Triglycerides (mg/dL) +2.7 0.0 +3.1 +0.7 Total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio +0.1 +0.0 +0.1 +0.1 Clinical Trials Experience in Adolescents In adolescents receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP, the safety data were comparable to the safety data reported in adults receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )]. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of APRETUDE or cabotegravir-containing regimens. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a po …
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug Labeling7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Refer to the full prescribing information for important drug interactions with APRETUDE. ( 4 , 5.7 , 7 ) • Drugs that induce uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 may significantly decrease plasma concentrations of cabotegravir. ( 4 , 7.2 , 7.3 ) 7.1 Use of Other Antiretroviral Drugs after Discontinuation of APRETUDE Residual concentrations of cabotegravir may remain in the systemic circulation of individuals for prolonged periods (up to 12 months or longer). These residual concentrations are not expected to affect the exposures of antiretroviral drugs that are initiated after discontinuation of APRETUDE [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.4 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect APRETUDE Cabotegravir is primarily metabolized by UGT1A1 with some contribution from UGT1A9. Drugs that are strong inducers of UGT1A1 or 1A9 are expected to decrease cabotegravir plasma concentrations; therefore, coadministration of APRETUDE with these drugs is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Information regarding potential drug interactions with cabotegravir is provided in Table 8 . These recommendations are based on either drug interaction trials following oral administration of cabotegravir or predicted interactions due to the expected magnitude of the interaction [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Table 8 includes potentially significant interactions but is not all inclusive. Table 8. Drug Interactions with APRETUDE ↑ = Increase, ↓ = Decrease, ↔ = No change. Concomitant Drug Class: Drug Name Effect on Concentration Clinical Comment Anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine Oxcarbazepine Phenobarbital Phenytoin ↓Cabotegravir Coadministration is contraindicated with APRETUDE due to potential for significant decreases in plasma concentration of APRETUDE. Antimycobacterials: Rifampin Rifapentine ↓Cabotegravir Antimycobacterial: Rifabutin ↓Cabotegravir When rifabutin is started before or concomitantly with the first initiation injection of APRETUDE, the recommended dosing of APRETUDE is one 600-mg (3-mL) injection, followed 2 weeks later by a second 600‐mg (3-mL) initiation injection and monthly thereafter while on rifabutin. When rifabutin is started at the time of the second initiation injection or later, the recommended dosing schedule of APRETUDE is 600‐mg (3 mL) monthly while on rifabutin. After stopping rifabutin, the recommended dosing schedule of APRETUDE is 600-mg (3 mL) every 2 months. 7.4 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with Cabotegravir Based on drug interaction study results, the following drugs can be coadministered with cabotegravir (non-antiretrovirals) or given after discontinuation of cabotegravir (antiretrovirals and non-antiretrovirals) without a dose adjustment: etravirine, midazolam, oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, and rilpivirine [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS • Lactation: Assess the benefit-risk of using APRETUDE to the infant while breastfeeding due to the potential for adverse reactions and residual concentrations in the systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer after discontinuation. ( 8.2 ) • Pediatrics: Not recommended in individuals weighing 28 times the exposure at the recommended human dose (RHD). No evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed with oral cabotegravir in rats or rabbits (>28 times or similar to the exposure at the RHD, respectively) given during organogenesis (see Data) . Clinical Considerations Cabotegravir is detected in systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer after discontinuing injections of APRETUDE; therefore, consideration should be given to the potential for fetal exposure during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Data Animal Data: Cabotegravir was administered orally to pregnant rats at 0, 0.5, 5, or 1,000 mg/kg/day from 15 days before cohabitation, during cohabitation, and from Gestation Days 0 to 17. There were no effects on fetal viability when fetuses were delivered by caesarean, although a minor decrease in fetal body weight was observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day (>28 times the exposure in humans at the RHD). No drug-related fetal toxicities were observed at 5 mg/kg/day (approximately 13 times the exposure in humans at the RHD), and no drug-related fetal malformations were observed at any dose. Cabotegravir was administered orally to pregnant rabbits at 0, 30, 500, or 2,000 mg/kg/day from Gestation Days 7 to 19. No drug-related fetal toxicities were observed at 2,000 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the exposure in humans at the RHD). In a rat pre- and postnatal development study, cabotegravir was administered orally to pregnant rats at 0, 0.5, 5, or 1,000 mg/kg/day from Gestation Day 6 to Lactation Day 21. A delay in the onset of parturition and increases in the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths by Lactation Day 4 were observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day (>28 times the exposure in humans at the RHD); there were no alterations to growth and development of surviving offspring. In a cross-fostering study, similar incidences of stillbirths and early postnatal deaths were observed when rat pups born to cabotegravir-treated mothers were nursed from birth by control mothers. There was no effect on neonatal survival of control pups nursed from birth by cabotegravir-treated mothers. A lower dose of 5 mg/kg/day (13 times the exposure at the RHD) was not associated with delayed parturition or neonatal mortality in rats. Studies in pregnant rats showed that cabotegravir crosses the placenta and can be detected in fetal tissue. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of cabotegravir in human milk. Cabotegravir is present in animal milk (see Data) . When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. It is not known if cabotegravir affects human milk production, or has effects on the breastfed infant. If cabotegravir is present in human milk, residual exposures may remain for 12 months or longer after the last injections have been administered [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Cabotegravir concentrations may be detectable in systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer after discontinuing injections of APRETUDE. Breastfeeding should only be considered if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant, including the potential risk for adverse reaction in the breastfed child, along with the risk of HIV-1 acquisition due to nonadherence and subsequent vertical transmission to the child. Breastfeeding is not recommended if acute HIV-1 infection is suspected to avoid the risk of postnatal transmission of HIV-1 infection. Data Animal lactation studies with cabotegravir have not been conducted. However, cabotegravir was detected in the plasma of nursing pups on Lactation Day 10 in the rat pre- and p …
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action Cabotegravir is an HIV-1 antiretroviral drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] in a long-acting formulation.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION APRETUDE contains cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension, an HIV INSTI. The chemical name of cabotegravir is ( 3S,11aR )-N-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]-6-hydroxy-3-methyl-5,7-dioxo-2,3,5,7,11,11a-hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrido[1,2-d]pyrazine-8-carboxamide. The empirical formula is C 19 H 17 F 2 N 3 O 5 and the molecular weight is 405.35 g/mol. It has the following structural formula: Cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension is a white to light pink free-flowing suspension for intramuscular injection in a sterile single-dose vial. Each vial contains 3 mL of the following: cabotegravir 200 mg/mL and the inactive ingredients mannitol (35 mg/mL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 (20 mg/mL), polysorbate 20 (20 mg/mL), and Water for Injection. The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex. Cabotegravir chemical structure
Overdosage
openFDA Drug Labeling10 OVERDOSAGE There is no known specific treatment for overdose with APRETUDE. If overdose occurs, monitor the individual and apply standard supportive treatment as required as well as observation of the clinical status of the individual. As APRETUDE is highly bound to plasma proteins, it is unlikely that it will be significantly removed by dialysis. Consider the prolonged exposure to APRETUDE following an injection when assessing treatment needs and recovery [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] .
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied APRETUDE is supplied in a kit containing one 600-mg/3-mL single-dose (200-mg/mL) vial of cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension, 1 syringe, 1 vial adapter, and 1 needle for intramuscular injection (23 gauge, 11⁄2 inch) (NDC 49702-264-23). The vial stopper is not made with natural rubber latex. Storage and Handling Store APRETUDE at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F) in the original carton until ready to use. Exposure up to 30°C permitted. Do not freeze. Do not mix with any other product or diluent. If the pack has been stored in the refrigerator, the vial should be brought to room temperature prior to administration (not to exceed 30°C [86°F]). Once the suspension has been drawn into the syringe, the injection should be administered as soon as possible, but may remain in the syringe for up to 2 hours. The filled syringes should not be placed in the refrigerator. If the medicine remains in the syringe for more than 2 hours, the filled syringe and needle must be discarded [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.7 )] .
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49702-264-23 | 49702-264 | ViiV Healthcare Company | 1 KIT in 1 CARTON (49702-264-23) * 3 mL in 1 VIAL (49702-238-03) | December 20, 2021 |
| 49702-280-63 | 49702-280 | ViiV Healthcare Company | 1 KIT in 1 CARTON (49702-280-63) * 3 mL in 1 VIAL (49702-238-61) | March 31, 2024 |
| 49702-264 | 49702-264 | ViiV Healthcare Company | — | December 20, 2021 |
| 49702-280 | 49702-280 | ViiV Healthcare Company | — | March 31, 2024 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 9 sections on this page.