Drug
Dolutegravir-Rilpivirine
Pronounced
"DOE-loo-TEG-ra-vir/RIL-pi-VIR-een"
Uses
Dolutegravir/rilpivirine is used to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Dolutegravir is an integrase inhibitor while rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Both drugs block the virus from growing and infecting more cells.
Dolutegravir/rilpivirine is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This product may also be used to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection after contact with the virus. Consult your doctor for more details.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using dolutegravir/rilpivirine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with a meal as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage may be based on other medications you are taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Medications that reduce stomach acid (such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors/PPIs, H2 blockers) may make rilpivirine work less well. Do not take PPIs (such as lansoprazole, omeprazole) while using this product. If you take antacids, take this product at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after taking the antacid. If you take H2 blockers (such as famotidine, nizatidine), take this product at least 4 hours before or 12 hours after taking the H2 blocker.
Sucralfate and products containing aluminum or magnesium (such as antacids, laxatives, buffered medications) may make dolutegravir work less well. If you take these products, take dolutegravir/rilpivirine at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after taking these products.
Calcium or iron supplements (including vitamins/minerals that contain calcium or iron) may make dolutegravir work less well. If you take calcium or iron supplements, take dolutegravir/rilpivirine at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after taking calcium or iron supplements. Or you can take dolutegravir/rilpivirine and the calcium or iron supplements together at the same time with a meal.
It is very important to keep taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses.
For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.