Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If you stop taking this medicine, or do not take it as prescribed, you may spread HIV to others.

Rilpivirine contains a fixed amount of each medicine in the tablet and the tablet for suspension (oral liquid). Do not substitute these dosage forms for each other. Always check your medicine each time your prescription is filled to make sure you receive the correct dosage form.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

To use the oral liquid:

  • Gently peel back the foil to remove the tablet. Do not push the tablets out of the foil.
  • Place the tablets in a small cup. Do not crush it.
  • Add 5 milliliters (mL) of room temperature drinking water. Swirl the cup gently for 1 to 2 minutes to dissolve the tablet. The mixture will become cloudy.
  • Swallow the liquid right away or add another 5 mL of drinking water, milk, orange juice, or applesauce to help take the medicine. Swirl the mixture and take all the medicine right away.
  • You may add another 5 mL drinking water, milk, orange juice, or applesauce to the cup to make sure your child gets the full dose.
  • Do not swallow whole, crush, or chew the tablet for suspension.

Keep taking rilpivirine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Do not stop taking it without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of the medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of the medicine.

It is important to take rilpivirine together with other medicines. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of day. This will make your medicines work better.

Take this medicine with food.

If you are taking a stomach medicine for heartburn or ulcers (eg, cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, Axid®, Pepcid®, or Tagamet®), take it at least 12 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine.

If you are taking antacids that contain aluminum, magnesium, or calcium, take the antacid at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine.

If you are taking didanosine (Videx®), take it on an empty stomach and at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For treatment of HIV infection:
      • For patients who have not received any HIV treatment in the past:
        • Adults and children 12 years of age and older and weighing 25 kilograms (kg) or more—25 milligrams (mg) once a day.
        • Children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 25 kg—Use of oral liquid is recommended.
      • For short-term treatment of HIV infection:
        • To assess the tolerability of rilpivirine before receiving Cabenuva:
          • Adults and children 12 years of age and older and weighing 35 kilograms (kg) or more—25 milligrams (mg) in combination with 30 mg of cabotegravir once a day for at least 28 days. Your last dose should be taken on the same day Cabenuva injections are started.
          • Children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 35 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
        • For patients who will miss a monthly planned injection of Cabenuva:
          • Adults and children 12 years of age and older and weighing 35 kilograms (kg) or more—If you miss or plan to miss a scheduled monthly injection of Cabenuva injection by more than 7 days, take 25 milligrams (mg) in combination with 30 mg of cabotegravir once a day. Your first dose should be taken at least 1 month after the last Cabenuva injection and continued until the day injection dosing is restarted.
          • Children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 35 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
        • For patients who will miss an every-2-month planned injection of Cabenuva:
          • Adults and children 12 years of age and older and weighing 35 kilograms (kg) or more—If you miss or plan to miss a scheduled every-2-month injection of Cabenuva injection by more than 7 days, take 25 milligrams (mg) in combination with 30 mg of cabotegravir once a day. Your first dose should be taken at least 2 months after the last Cabenuva injection and continued until the day injection dosing is restarted.
          • Children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 35 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets for suspension):
    • For treatment of HIV infection:
      • For patients who have not received any HIV treatment in the past:
        • Children 2 years of age and older weighing at least 14 kilograms (kg) to less than 25 kg—Dose is base on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
          • Weighing 20 kg to less than 25 kg—15 milligrams (mg) or 6 tablets once a day.
          • Weighing 14 kg to less than 20 kg—12.5 mg or 5 tablets once a day.
        • Children younger than 2 years of age or weighing less than 14 kg—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of this medicine and it is less than 12 hours since your regular time, take it as soon as you can and take your next dose at the normal time. If you miss a dose and it is more than 12 hours since your regular time, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the normal time.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

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