Brief instructions for use of cartegravir injection

Cabotegravir injection (Cabotegravir) is a long-acting injection preparation, mainly used forHIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP ), suitable for adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg to reduce the risk of contracting the HIV-1 virus through sexual intercourse. As the first long-acting PrEP drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its emergence provides a new option for HIV prevention. Compared with traditional daily oral preparations, cartegravir injection improves patient compliance by reducing the frequency of dosing, thereby more effectively reducing the risk of infection.

Categravir is an integrase inhibitor that inhibits the self-replication of the virus in the body by blockingHIV-1 the integrase necessary for virus replication. When an individual is exposed to the HIV-1 virus, the drug works by reducing the virus's ability to reproduce and spread at the site of infection, thereby preventing it. Clinical trial data show that when used correctly, the preventive effect of cartegravir injection can reach 99%, making it one of the most effective HIV pre-exposure prevention methods. However, a negative HIV test is necessary before starting treatment to avoid potential drug resistance issues.

The recommended starting dose of cartegravir injection is 600 mg. It is injected into the gluteal muscle. A total of two consecutive injections are required, with a one-month interval between the two injections. The timing of the second injection can be adjusted up to 7 days before or after the planned date. After the initial two injections, subsequent maintenance doses are 600 mg every two months. For patients transitioning from an oral induction dose to an injectable dose, the first injection should be administered within 3 days after the last oral dose to ensure a smooth transition of drug concentrations. This flexible dosing regimen helps improve patient convenience and reduces missed doses due to scheduling issues.

Although cartegravir injection is effective in preventingHIVIt works great on infections, but some side effects may still occur during use. The most common side effects focus on the injection site, such as pain, lumps, swelling, bruising, redness, itching, and localized temperature increase. A small number of patients may experience more serious reactions, such as abscesses or skin discoloration. In addition, systemic side effects may also occur, including dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort (such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea), muscle pain, headache, rash, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, drowsiness, sleep disturbance, back pain, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. Although most of these reactions are mild, patients still need to closely monitor their physical condition under the guidance of a doctor and take corresponding mitigation measures if necessary.

Categravir injection was obtained onyear12month20F DAapproved the market with the trade name APRETUDE, and was subsequently approved in China in 2023 with the trade name Wankairui. At present, this drug has not been included in the scope of medical insurance, and the market price of the original European version is approximately RMB 16,000.

When using cartegravir injection, patients need to pay attention to the following points: First, they must strictly follow the doctor's medication instructions to ensure that the injection interval is reasonable to avoid missing or delayed injections that affect the preventive effect. Secondly, local reactions should be observed after injection. If persistent pain, increased redness and swelling or other abnormal symptoms occur, seek medical treatment in time.

In addition, although the drug is effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection, it still needs to be combined with other preventive measures, such as the use of condoms, to further reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Finally, safety data on long-term use of this drug are still accumulating, and patients should undergo regular health assessments so that potential long-term effects can be identified and managed promptly.

Overall, cartegravir injection provides a more convenient and efficient solution forHIV prevention. Its long-acting properties significantly improve medication compliance, and is especially suitable for high-risk groups who find it difficult to adhere to daily oral medications. With further research and promotion, the drug is expected to play a more important role in global HIV prevention and control.

Reference link:https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/212887s007lbl.pdf