Overview
Vocabria is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in adults and adolescents age 12 and older who weigh at least 35 kilograms (about 77 pounds). It is used in combination with Edurant (rilpivirine) for people who have a stable HIV regimen, have no history of treatment failure, and have no known or suspected resistance to either cabotegravir or rilpivirine. Vocabria is also approved for short-term use in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV-1 in people who test negative for HIV-1 before starting treatment. Vocabria is also known by its drug name, cabotegravir.

Vocabria is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). It works by blocking the action of the integrase enzyme, which the HIV virus uses to insert its genetic material into human cells. By preventing this step, the drug helps keep HIV from multiplying in the body and reduces the risk of infection.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Vocabria is taken as a single oral tablet once daily. For HIV-1 treatment, it is typically taken in combination with one tablet of Edurant once daily with a meal for about one month as a lead-in before starting injectable treatment. It can also be used for up to two months to replace missed doses of injectable HIV-1 therapy.

For PrEP, Vocabria is typically taken once daily for about one month as a lead-in before injectable PrEP or as a temporary replacement for missed injections. Vocabria should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Vocabria include fatigue, headache, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, abnormal dreams, anxiety, insomnia, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension (bloating), and asthenia (weakness). People taking the drug for PrEP may also experience upper respiratory tract infections and somnolence (sleepiness).

Rare but serious side effects may include hypersensitivity reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which are severe skin reactions. Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) has also been reported, and liver function should be monitored. Some people may experience depressive disorders and should be evaluated promptly if symptoms like low mood or thoughts of self-harm occur.

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Label: Vocabria — Cabotegravir Sodium Tablet, Film Coated — DailyMed