What is Dolutegravir and rilpivirine?
Dolutegravir and rilpivirine are antiviral medicines used to treat HIV. HIV is the virus that can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Dolutegravir and rilpivirine are not cures for HIV or AIDS. Only those who have successfully treated themselves with antiviral drugs for at least six months can use dolutegravir and/or rilpivirine. Dolutegravir or rilpivirine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Dolutegravir and rilpivirine
Immediately seek medical help if any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction arise: difficulty breathing, hives or swelling in your face, lips or throat. If you experience a severe drug reaction, seek medical assistance immediately. This can include a skin rash, fever, or swollen lymph glands. Other symptoms may include muscle pain, weakness, unusual bruises, or a yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Dolutegravir or rilpivirine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
- Anxiety, sadness, feeling hopeless;
- Depression is characterized by mood changes, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, and thoughts of harming yourself.
- Liver problems: nausea, vomiting, upper right stomach pain, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stool, jaundice
Dolutegravir affects the immune system. This can cause side effects, even weeks or months after taking this medication. You should tell your doctor if:
- Signs of an infection: fever, sweats at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores, coughing, wheezing, and diarrhea.
- Problems with balance, eye movements, or speech, or even a prickly sensation;
- Impotence, menstrual irregularities, and swelling of the neck or throat
Some of the common side effects associated with dolutegravir or rilpivirine include:
- Headache;
- Nausea, diarrhea.
There may be other side effects. Need medical advice regarding adverse side effects? Seek professional guidance immediately by reaching out to a physician.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Dolutegravir taken during the first three months of pregnancy can cause birth defects. While taking dolutegravir, use birth control to avoid pregnancy.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to dolutegravir, rilpivirine, or both, then do not take these drugs. Certain medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects when combined with dolutegravir and/or rilpivirine. If you are also taking
- Dofetilide can cause serious medical problems and even death when taken in combination with dolutegravir or rilpivirine.
- John's Wort
- Dexamethasone can be taken in more than one dose.
- carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin;
- rifampin, rifapentine;
- esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole.
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Liver problems
- mental illness;
- A severe skin reaction or an allergic reaction to rilpivirine or dolutegravir;
- If you are also taking rifabutin,
Before starting the treatment, you may need a negative pregnancy result.Dolutegravir or rilpivirine can harm an unborn child if taken at the time conception occurs or in the first 12 weeks after conception. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant.HIV can be transmitted to your child if it is not controlled while pregnant. Your name could be on a registry if you're pregnant to track the effects of antiviral medication on your baby. To control HIV, take your medication as prescribed.Breast-feeding is not recommended for women with HIV/AIDS. Even if the baby was born HIV-free, the virus can be transmitted to the infant through your breast milk.
How to take Dolutegravir and rilpivirine?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Take this medication with food only, never with a meal substitute drink. You will require frequent blood tests. You should not alter your medication or dose schedule without consulting your doctor. All people with HIV/AIDS should be under the care and supervision of a physician. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature. Keep tablets in their original containers, with any packets or canisters of moisture-absorbing preserver.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for HIV infection:
Take 1 tablet once daily with food.
Use: As a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection to replace a stable antiretroviral regimen in patients who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/mL) for at least 6 months with no history of treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to the individual components
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once. Refill your prescription before you run out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Dolutegravir or rilpivirine won't stop your illness from spreading. Share razors and toothbrushes, but do not engage in unprotected sexual activity. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HIV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes for drugs or medicines.
Interaction with other drug
Some medicines may make it less effective to take dolutegravir and rilpivirine at the same time. Take your dolutegravir dose at least four hours before or six hours after taking the other medication.
- Antiacids and laxatives containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, such as Maalox Milk of Magnesia or Rolaids
- Buffered medication
- You can take calcium and iron-containing vitamin or mineral supplements (although if you are taking dolutegravir or rilpivirine along with your food, then you may take both supplements).
Dolutegravir should be taken at least four hours before or twelve hours after you have taken famotidine or cimetidine. Dolutegravir and rilpivirine can be affected by many drugs. Some drugs should never be taken together. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you have started or stopped using. Included are prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
