Rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug and is used together with other antiretroviral medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection (Not in HIV-2)This should be used in patients previously treated with antiretroviral drugs or the plasma HIV-1 ribonucleic acid (RNA) concentration less than 100,000 copies/ml.It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) in 2011 for the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children 12 years of age and older.
It is a non-competitive NNRTI that binds to reverse transcriptase. Its binding ends up in the blockage of RNA and deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent DNA polymerase activities, like HIV-1 replication. It doesn’t present activity against human DNA polymerases α, β, and γ.Rilpivirine binds to the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and its versatile structure around the aromatic rings permits the variation to changes in the non-nucleoside RT binding pocket.
Side effect includes; Nausea, Vomiting, anorexia, raised serum amylase and lipase, abdominal pain, dry mouth, depression, hyperlipedeamia, Sleep disturbances, abnormal dreams, dizziness, headache, osteonecrosis, skin rashes, and discomfort.
Using of rilpivirine with rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole;
delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine and more than one dose of dexamethasone can cause serious medical problems or death.
Rilpivirine is classified as Food and Drug Administration pregnancy category B this suggests that animal studies show no carcinogenic, teratogenic and reproductive side effects, however, this drug should be used if the benefits outweigh the risk.
Avoid antacid, or take it at least 2 hours before or four hours after taking rilpivirine. don’t take an antacid and rilpivirine at the same time.f you also take a stomach acid reducer, take it a minimum of 12 hours before or four hours after taking rilpivirine. This includes cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and histamine blocker. don’t take rilpivirine and this type of stomach drugs at a similar time.If you also take didanosine, take it a minimum of 2 hours before or four hours after taking rilpivirine.
The usual adult (over 18 years) dose for HIV-1 is 25mg one day with food.Take the missed dose with food as soon as you remember. Skip the lost dose if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose. don’t take extra drugs to make up the missed dose.
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