Long-acting injectable ARV agents, capable of being administered on a monthly or less frequent basis, have the potential to improve adherence to therapy. Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP
ARV injection: Once a month long-acting HIV treatment
Long-acting antiretroviral (ARV) or injectible ARV is the new game-changing treatment in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Long-acting injectable ARV agents, capable of being administered on a monthly or less frequent basis, have the potential to improve adherence to therapy. Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP
This antiretroviral (ARV) injection called Cabenuva is a combination injection of Cabotegravir and rilpivirine used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.
This is the first complete antiretroviral regimen that doesn’t require daily pills. The injection is administered once every 4 weeks (once a month) by a healthcare provider.
In 2021 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cabenuva for people with an undetectable viral load.
A person is “undetectable” if they have a viral load of less than 50.
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Cabenuva comes from ViiV Healthcare a global HIV specialist company that is majority owned by GlaxoSmithKline plc (“GSK”) with Pfizer and Shionogi Limited as shareholders.
Three African countries were identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to trial the injection in Africa, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.
Kenya began its clinical trial this year with 160 patients, Uganda started its clinical trial in 2021 and South Africa is yet to reveal the details of its clinical trials.
Facts about Cabenuva:
- Cabenuva contains two different medicines: cabotegravir and rilpirivine.
- Cabenuva is maintenance therapy for adults living with HIV who achieve viral suppression (a viral load of less than 50)
- People who want to switch will take Vocabria and Edurant pills for a month to ensure that the combination is well tolerated.
- Cabenuva is recommended for HIV-positive adults without prior treatment failure or resistance to cabotegravir or rilpivirine.
- The antiretrovirals are already approved in the UK, Canada and in the US.
- Uganda, Kenya and South Africa are the first African countries set to trial the injection.`
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Known side effects:
- Rash
- Stomach cramps
- Pain (for example, back and chest pain)
- Trouble breathing
- Feeing anxious
- Numbness of your mouth
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Remember that Cabenuva isn’t a cure for HIV there currently is no known cure for HIV but with proper medical care, such as treatment with Cabenuva, life expectancy for people with HIV is nearly the same as for those without HIV.
Disclaimer: This article is not a promotion for Cabenuva or its use, it is only intended for information purposes.
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