Has your doctor prescribed you a medication called Rilpivirine to control your HIV infection? So today we will talk about this medication, what it does to our bodies, how to use it properly, and what we need to be especially careful about when taking this medication. Think of this as a conversation with your best friend.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Rilpivirine is a medication that helps manage the symptoms of HIV infection by limiting the spread of the HIV virus within the body.
But it is important to remember this: This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Also, there is still a chance that you can pass the HIV virus to someone else while taking this medicine. Therefore, it is important to follow safe methods. This medicine does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
EDURANT is a well-known name for this medicine in the market.
Things to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this medicine. If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- If you have heart disease .
- If you have kidney-related conditions.
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have mental health problems (such as depression).
- If you have ever had an allergy or unusual reaction to Rilpivirine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Talking openly with your doctor about these things is very important for your safety.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is important to take it correctly.
- Take with food: This pill should be taken with a glass of water. The most important thing is to take it with a meal. It is best to take the pill at the beginning of a meal.
- Take it on time, don't skip doses: Take your medicine every day, exactly as your doctor prescribed. Don't skip doses. If you do, the virus can become resistant not only to this medicine, but also to other medicines. That means the medicine may not work as well.
- Do not stop until your doctor tells you to: Continue using this treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
Be especially careful if you take it with gastritis medication.
If you are taking medication for gastritis, you need to pay special attention to this.
- Antacids: If you are taking antacids that contain aluminum, calcium carbonate, or magnesium hydroxide (e.g., Digene, Gelusil), you should not take them at the same time as Rilpivirine. The antacid should be taken either 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking Rilpivirine.
- H2-receptor antagonists: If you are taking medications such as famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, or ranitidine, you should take them at a different time. You should take these medications 12 hours before or 4 hours after taking Rilpivirine.
If you don't understand these times exactly, ask your doctor again to confirm.
If you give it to children
This medicine can be prescribed to children over the age of 12 in some selected cases. However, it requires special precautions, so talk to your doctor about it.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
We may forget to take the same medicine every day. If that happens, here's what to do:
- If you remember within 12 hours of the time you are supposed to take the medicine, take it as soon as possible with a meal. Take the next dose at the usual time.
- However, if you remember more than 12 hours after the scheduled time, do not take the missed dose. Skip it and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
- Never take a double dose or extra doses.
Possible adverse reactions (interactions) with this medicine
Some medications can cause serious problems when taken with Rilpivirine. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below.
| Medicines that should not be taken with Rilpivirine | |
|---|---|
| Medicine for fungal infections | fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole |
| Medicine for seizures | carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin |
| Some medications for gastritis (stomach inflammation) | esomeprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole |
| Other | Cisapride, Dexamethasone (more than one dose), Dronedarone, Lumacaftor/ivacaftor, Pimozide, Rifampin, Rifapentine, St. John's Wort, Thioridazine |
In addition to this list, other medications may interact with this. For example:
- Some antibiotics like clarithromycin and erythromycin.
- Methadone
- Other antiviral medications for HIV.
- Other medications that cause changes in heart rate.
Therefore, it is best to give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal products, and over-the-counter medications).
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular medical check-ups: See your doctor at regular intervals to check the progress of your treatment. Talk to him or her about any new symptoms you have. You may also need to have some blood tests.
- Preventing the spread of HIV: HIV is spread through sexual contact or blood. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent it.
- Serious skin reactions: Some people may have serious skin reactions even after several weeks of using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a rash with symptoms like fever or chills. These rashes may turn red or purple, then blister and the skin may start to peel. Also, don't ignore a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, Rilpivirine can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies or Angioedema | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and unusual tiredness. |
| Serious skin reactions | Redness, blistering, and peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Mental health changes | Thoughts of self-harm, mood swings, feelings of depression. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
|---|---|
| Headache | Difficulty falling asleep |
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
How do you protect your medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children: Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Correct temperature: Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Protect from light: Keep the medicine in the original bottle it came in. This will help prevent damage from light.
- Expired medicines: Do not use them for any reason after the expiration date. Dispose of them properly.
Take-Home Message
- Rilpivirine is a medicine that controls the HIV virus, but it is not a cure.
- This pill should definitely be taken with a meal .
- Do not skip medication for any reason. Do not stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (especially gastritis medication).
- If you experience a serious side effect, such as skin blisters or rashes along with a fever, seek medical advice immediately .
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
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