It’s not recommended that rilpivirine be used in combination with other NNRTIs.
Do not take rilpivirine with the anticonvulsants carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital or phenytoin or with St John’s wort. Rilpivirine should not be taken at the same time as the antibiotics rifampicin and rifabutin (often used to treat TB). Some other antibiotics can increase blood levels of rilpivirine.
Medicines that affect stomach acidity can block the way rilpivirine is absorbed. Don’t take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole. Indigestion remedies called H2-blockers (such as ranitidine, Zantac) should be taken at least 12 hours before or at least four hours after taking rilpivirine. If you are taking other indigestion remedies (such as Rennies or Gaviscon) or calcium supplements, they should be taken at least two hours before or at least four hours after taking rilpivirine as they can prevent it being absorbed properly.
Severe rash and allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction.
Insomnia, headache, nausea, rash, depression, dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, reduced white or red blood cell count, low platelet count, raised cholesterol or triglyceride or liver enzymes or pancreatic amylase or lipase levels, reduced appetite, difficulty in sleeping, abnormal dreams, low mood, tiredness, drowsiness, dry mouth.
Always take with food, such as your main meal of the day, otherwise you will not absorb enough rilpivirine and your treatment may fail. Rilpivirine is very small, so may be a good option if you have difficulty swallowing tablets.
The usual adult dose is one white 25mg tablet taken once a day. Rilpivirine is also available in the combination tablets Eviplera and Odefsey.
