Class Name(s):

• 8:18.08.16 HIV Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Pronunciation:

• (ril'' pi vir' een)

Brand Name(s):

• Edurant^®
• Edurant PED ^®

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Rilpivirine is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Rilpivirine is in a class of medications called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood.

Although rilpivirine does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses. Taking these medications and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of giving the HIV virus to other people.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Rilpivirine comes as a tablet and as a tablet for suspension (a tablet to dissolve in water) to take by mouth. Take with a meal (not just a protein drink or yogurt) once a day.

Take rilpivirine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You will take other medications for HIV while you are taking rilpivirine. Your doctor will tell you whether these medications should be taken at the same time as rilpivirine, or several hours before or after you take rilpivirine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the times you should take your medications.

Your doctor will decide which rilpivirine product is right for you. Rilpivirine tablets and tablets for suspension cannot be substituted for each other.

To give rilpivirine tablet for suspension:

1. Place the tablet for oral suspension in a cup and then add 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of room temperature drinking water. Do not chew, crush, or swallow the tablet whole.
2. Swirl the cup for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the tablet. The mixture may look cloudy.
3. You may add 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of water, orange juice, milk or applesauce to the mixture to make it easier to take the medicine. But the entire amount must be swallowed right away. Make sure no medicine is left in the cup. If needed, add 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of water and mix and swallow right away,

Rilpivirine controls HIV but does not cure it. Continue to take rilpivirine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking rilpivirine without talking to your doctor. When your supply of rilpivirine starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss doses or stop taking rilpivirine, your condition may become more difficult to treat.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Are there OTHER USES for this medication?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking rilpivirine,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• some medications should not be taken with rilpivirine. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with rilpivirine. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting rilpivirine with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking rilpivirine, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with rilpivirine: St. John's wort; medications for heartburn such as omeprazole (Prilosec^®), rabeprazole (Aciphex^®), esomeprazole (Nexium^®), lansoprazole (Prevacid^®). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking rilpivirine. Do not start any of these medications while taking rilpivirine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• if you are taking antacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (Maalox^®, Mylanta^®, Tums^®, others), take them at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine.
• if you are taking a medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet^®), famotidine (Pepcid^®), nizatidine (Axid^®), or ranitidine (Zantac^®), take it at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine.
• if you are taking didanosine (Videx^®), take it at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after rilpivirine.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or other mental illness, liver disease, including hepatitis B or C, or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking rilpivirine, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Some of the medication and HIV may be passed to your baby in your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks of breastfeeding your baby if you are taking rilpivirine.
• you should know that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts, upper back and neck, or around the middle of your body. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face can also happen.
• you should know that rilpivirine may cause changes in your thoughts, behavior, or mental health. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms while you are taking rilpivirine: new or worsening depression; feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, or restless; or thinking about killing yourself or planning or trying to do so. Be sure your family knows which symptoms may be serious so that they can call your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
• you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body or cause other conditions to occur. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections or conditions. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with rilpivirine, be sure to tell your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, with a meal. However, if it has been more than 12 hours since your last dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Rilpivirine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• yellowing of skin or eyes, pain on the right side of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, light colored stools, dark colored urine

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms stop taking rilpivirine and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash along with fever, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, blisters, trouble breathing or swallowing, mouth sores, redness or swelling of the eyes, pain on the right side of the stomach (abdominal) area, or dark colored urine

Rilpivirine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at http://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location - one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to rilpivirine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a supply of rilpivirine on hand. Do not wait until you run out of medication to refill your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: August 15, 2025.