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Cabenuva (cabotegravir/rilpivirine) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include fever and fatigue. If side effects become difficult to tolerate,

talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options. Cabenuva (cabotegravir/rilpivirine) is a prescription drug used to treat HIV in certain adults and adolescents. Cabenuva

comes as a liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) that’s injected into your gluteal (butt) muscle by a healthcare professional. Cabenuva contains two active ingredients — cabotegravir

and rilpivirine — which are given as two separate injections. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Cabenuva can cause. »LEARN MORE:See this in-depth

Cabenuva article. What are the more common side effects of Cabenuva? Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Cabenuva treatment. Here are a few examples of the drug’s

commonly reported side effects: * injection site reactions* * fever * fatigue * headache * muscle or joint pain _* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained”

section._ What are the mild side effects of Cabenuva? Mild side effects have been reported with Cabenuva. These include: * nausea * headache * dizziness * insomnia * fever * fatigue * muscle

or joint pain * injection site reactions* * skin rash * mild allergic reaction* In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have

symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Cabenuva treatment unless your doctor recommends it. Cabenuva may cause mild side effects other

than those listed in the article previously. See the drug’s prescribing information for details. _* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section._ What are

the serious side effects of Cabenuva? Serious side effects have been reported with Cabenuva. These include: * depression or other mood changes * liver problems * postinjection reaction* *

severe allergic reaction* If you develop serious side effects during Cabenuva treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a

medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. _* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section._ NOTE: After the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers

more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during Cabenuva treatment and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088. FAQ

about Cabenuva’s side effects Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Cabenuva’s side effects. HOW DO SIDE EFFECTS OF CABENUVA COMPARE WITH THOSE OF BIKTARVY? Cabenuva and

Biktarvy (bictegravir sodium/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) are both used to treat HIV. Biktarvy comes as an oral tablet taken once daily, while Cabenuva is given as an intramuscular

injection every 1 to 2 months. The following table shows how the side effects of these drugs compare. BIKTARVY CABENUVA MILD SIDE EFFECTS • diarrhea • nausea • headache • fatigue • insomnia

• injection site reactions • fever • fatigue • headache • muscle or joint pain SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS • liver problems and kidney problems • depression • lactic acidosis with fatty deposits in

the liver • immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS) • boxed warning: worsening hepatitis B • depression or other mood changes • liver problems • postinjection reaction • severe allergic

reaction To learn more about how the side effects of Cabenuva and Biktarvy compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. DOES CABENUVA CAUSE LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS? It’s possible. Long-term

side effects include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop

taking the drug. Side effects reported in Cabenuva’s studies that could be long term include liver problems and elevated liver enzymes (which may be a sign of liver damage). If you have

questions about your risk of long-term side effects from Cabenuva, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects explained Learn more about some of the side effects Cabenuva may cause.

INJECTION SITE REACTION Receiving Cabenuva may cause a reaction at the injection site. This was a common side effect reported in studies of the drug. Injection site reactions may cause

symptoms such as: * warmth * swelling * bruising * redness or discoloration * itchiness * pain or tenderness * hardened lump WHAT MIGHT HELP If you have an injection site reaction during

Cabenuva treatment, these tips may help relieve your symptoms: * Apply ice to the site before and after the injection (for no longer than 15 minutes at a time), * Ask for a prescription

numbing cream to apply to the site before receiving the injection. * Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help relieve pain from the injection. * Avoid forcefully rubbing the area after an

injection. Injection site reactions will likely become less painful over time, but if the symptoms become worse or unmanageable, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. POSTINJECTION REACTION

Some people may have a postinjection reaction after receiving a Cabenuva injection. This was an uncommon side effect reported in studies of the drug. Most of the reactions reported in

studies happened within minutes of the injection and went away within minutes. After receiving your injection, you’ll be observed for about 10 minutes to check for a reaction. If one occurs,

it can be managed immediately. Postinjection reactions may cause symptoms such as: * difficulty breathing * abdominal cramps * feeling faint or lightheaded * sweating * feeling warm * pain

in the back and chest * feeling anxious * numbness in the mouth * skin rash * blood pressure changes WHAT MIGHT HELP Your doctor will have medications on hand to treat low blood pressure,

breathing difficulties, and pain in the event you experience a postinjection reaction during Cabenuva treatment. If you have concerns about the risk of a postinjection reaction, discuss this

with your doctor before getting the injection. ALLERGIC REACTION Like most drugs, Cabenuva can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include: *

skin rash * itchiness * flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) * swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet) * swelling of your mouth,

tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe After Cabenuva was approved, there have been rare reports of a severe allergic reaction known as drug reaction with eosinophilia and

systemic symptoms (DRESS) in people receiving the drug. DRESS may begin 2 to 8 weeks after starting Cabenuva treatment. Symptoms to look for include: * widespread body rash * swollen lymph

nodes * high fever * facial swelling There have also been rare reports of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS is a rare and extremely serious condition

that causes your skin to come loose and detach. TEN is also a rare and serious skin condition that causes severe peeling and blistering which progresses quickly. It causes large raw areas

that may ooze or weep and can also affect the mucous membranes — including the mouth, throat, eyes, and genital region. DRESS, SJS, and TEN are all life threatening emergencies that require

immediate medical care. WHAT MIGHT HELP If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your

symptoms. Examples include: * an oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) * a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream If your doctor confirms you’ve had a

mild allergic reaction to Cabenuva, they’ll decide if you should continue treatment. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling, difficulty breathing, serious skin

rash, or fever, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious

allergic reaction to Cabenuva, they may have you switch to a different treatment. > KEEPING TRACK OF SIDE EFFECTS > During your Cabenuva treatment, consider taking notes on any side

> effects you’re having. You can then share this information with > your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new > drug or combination of treatments. > 

> Your side effect notes can include things such as: >  >     * what dose of the drug you were receiving when you had the side > effect >     * how soon you had the side 

effect after starting that dose >     * what your symptoms were >     * how your symptoms affected your daily activities >     * what other medications you were taking >     * 

any other information you feel is important >  > Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how > Cabenuva affects you. They can then use this information to 

adjust > your treatment plan if needed. Warnings for Cabenuva Cabenuva can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition

interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Cabenuva treatment. Be sure

to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you: * liver problems, especially hepatitis B or C * taking other prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins, or

supplements especially: * antibiotics * seizure medications * St. John’s wort * history of mental health conditions, especially depression or suicidal thoughts * previous allergic reaction

to Cabenuva * pregnancy * breastfeeding HELP IS OUT THERE If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support: * Call or text the 988 Suicide

and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7. * Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741

to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7. * Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide. * Call 911 or

your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so. If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can

cause harm if you can do so safely. If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives. ALCOHOL AND CABENUVA There are no known interactions between alcohol

and Cabenuva. However, Cabenuva can cause liver problems. Excessive alcohol use can also cause liver problems. So your risk of liver problems may be higher if you drink too much during your

Cabenuva treatment. If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Cabenuva treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING WITH CABENUVA Before starting

Cabenuva treatment, talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to be either. PREGNANCY It’s not known whether it’s safe to receive Cabenuva while pregnant. This

drug’s use during pregnancy hasn’t been studied. However, a drug in the same class as cabotegravir (one of the active ingredients in Cabenuva) was shown to cause fetal harm when used in

early pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about safe HIV treatment options. If you receive this drug while pregnant, consider signing up for

the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. A pregnancy registry collects information about the safety of certain drugs when used during pregnancy. You can learn more on the website or by calling

800-258-4263. BREASTFEEDING It isn’t known whether Cabenuva passes into breast milk or is safe to use while breastfeeding. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

recommends that you do not breastfeed if you have HIV. This is because HIV can pass through breast milk to a child. Talk with your doctor about other options for feeding your child. What to

ask your doctor Like most drugs, Cabenuva can cause side effects that range from mild to serious — but most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about

side effects Cabenuva can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include: * Does Cabenuva cause weight gain? * How long do side effects of Cabenuva

usually last? * Do Cabenuva injections cause permanent muscle damage and long lasting pain? * Can I develop drug resistance to Cabenuva? To get information on different conditions and tips

for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can

find support and connect with others. DISCLAIMER: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this

article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional

before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions,

allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate

for all patients or all specific uses.