Emtricitabine; Rilpivirine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Oral Tablet

Emtricitabine rilpivirine tenofovir is a medication you take by mouth to treat HIV infection. HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system. It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in your body.

What is this medication?

EMTRICITABINE; RILPIVIRINE; TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE (em tri SIT uh bean; ril pi VIR een; te NOE fo veer) is 3 antiretroviral medicines in 1 tablet. It is used to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. This medicine can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading HIV to others.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): COMPLERA

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What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • bone problems
  • depression
  • drink alcohol-containing drinks
  • heart disease
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
  • an unusual or allergic reaction to emtricitabine, rilpivirine, tenofovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water and food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
  • certain medicines for stomach problems like esomeprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole
  • dexamethasone
  • lumacaftor; ivacaftor
  • rifampin
  • rifapentine
  • St. John's wort; Hypericum perforatum

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, troleandomycin
  • certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole
  • certain medicines for stomach problems like aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine
  • certain medicines for viral infections like cidofovir, acyclovir, adefovir dipivoxil, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir
  • methadone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care provider for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

If you have hepatitis B, talk to your doctor if you plan to stop this medicine. The symptoms of hepatitis B may get worse if you stop this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • breathing problems
  • changes in vision
  • dizziness
  • fast, irregular heartbeat
  • muscle pain
  • nausea, vomiting, unusual upset stomach or stomach pain
  • rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
  • signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
  • signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine
  • suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • abnormal dreams
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • skin discoloration
  • trouble sleeping
  • weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Copyright ©2024 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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