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Dolutegravir-Rilpivirine

Pronounced

"DOE-loo-TEG-ra-vir/RIL-pi-VIR-een"

Common brand names:

Juluca

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 which reduce or block stomach acid (such as proton pump inhibitors/PPIs, H2 blockers, antacids) may reduce the absorption of rilpivirine, making this product work less well. Do not take PPIs (such as omeprazole, lansoprazole) while using this medication. If you take antacids, take the antacids at least 6 hours before or at least 4 hours after this product. If you take H2 blockers (such as famotidine, ranitidine), take them at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after this product.

Sucralfate and products containing aluminum or magnesium (such as antacids, laxatives, buffered medications) may reduce the absorption of dolutegravir, making this product work less well. Take these products 6 hours before or 4 hours after this medication.

Calcium or iron supplements (including vitamins/minerals that contain calcium or iron) may also reduce the absorption of dolutegravir, making this product work less well. Take these products 6 hours before or 4 hours after this medication. Or you can take this medication 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.