Rilpivirine
Brand Name(s): Edurant®, Juluca® (as a combination product containing dolutegravir, rilpivirine)
WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Rilpivirine is used along with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in certain adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 77 lb (35 kg) and have not received antiretroviral treatment in the past. It is also used along with cabotegravir (Vocabria) as a short-term treatment of HIV-1 infection in certain adults. Rilpivirine is in a class of medications called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Although rilpivirine does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of transmitting (spreading) the HIV virus to other people.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Rilpivirine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a meal (not just a protein drink) once a day. When rilpivirine is taken along with cabotegravir, it is usually taken once daily with a meal. Take rilpivirine alone or along with cabotegravir at around the same time every day. Rilpivirine is taken along with cabotegravir for about one month (for at least 28 days) prior to starting treatment with the long-acting injectable forms of these medications or for up to 2 months if the injectable treatment schedule is missed for more than 7 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rilpivirine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Rilpivirine controls HIV but does not cure it. Continue to take rilpivirine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking rilpivirine without talking to your doctor. When your supply of rilpivirine starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss doses or stop taking rilpivirine, your condition may become more difficult to treat.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before taking rilpivirine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rilpivirine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in rilpivirine tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking dexamethasone (Decadron); medications for seizures including carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Euetro, Tegretol, Teril), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); proton pump inhibitors including dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium, Vimovo), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex); rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadin); rifapentine (Priftin); and St. John's wort. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take rilpivirine if you are taking one or more of these medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungal medications, including fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), posaconazole (Noxafil), and voriconazole (Vfend); amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone); anagrelide (Agrylin); chloroquine; chlorpromazine; cilostazol; ciprofloxacin (Cipro); citalopram (Celexa); clarithromycin (Biaxin); disopyramide (Norpace); dofetilide (Tikosyn); donepezil (Aricept); erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole); flecainide (Tambocor); haloperidol (Haldol); ibutilide (Corvert); levofloxacin; methadone (Dolophine); moxifloxacin (Velox); nelfinavir (Viracept); ondansetron (Zuplenz, Zofran); other NNRTIs medications to treat HIV/AIDS; pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam); pimozide (Orap); procainamide; quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifabutin (Mycobutin); sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize); telithromycin (Ketek); and thioridazine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with rilpivirine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- if you are taking antacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others), take them at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine.
- if you are taking a medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac), take it at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine.
- if you are taking didanosine (Videx), take it at least2 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or other mental illness, liver disease, including hepatitis B or C, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking rilpivirine, call your doctor. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking rilpivirine.
- you should know that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts, upper back and neck, or around the middle of your body. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face can also happen.
- you should know that rilpivirine may cause changes in your thoughts, behavior, or mental health. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms while you are taking rilpivirine: new or worsening depression; feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, or restless; or thinking about killing yourself or planning or trying to do so. Be sure your family knows which symptoms may be serious so that they can call your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
- you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body or cause other conditions to occur. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections or conditions. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with rilpivirine, be sure to tell your doctor.
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, with a meal. However, if it has been more than 12 hours since your last dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Rilpivirine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
- abdominal pain
- drowsiness
- rash
- yellowing of skin or eyes, pain on the right side of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, light colored stools, dark colored urine
Rilpivirine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to rilpivirine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a supply of rilpivirine on hand. Do not wait until you run out of medication to refill your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: March 15, 2021.