Edurant (Rilpivirine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Edurant Used For?
Edurant contains rilpivirine and is an HIV medicine that belongs to a group called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It must be used in combination with other HIV medicines to treat adults with HIV infection.
Primary Uses
Edurant is used to treat adults who are infected with HIV and who have not used other anti-HIV medicines before. It must always be taken in combination with other HIV medicines – never alone.
How It Works
Edurant works by reducing the amount of HIV in your body. This helps improve your immune system and reduces the risk of developing illnesses linked to HIV infection. However, it is not a cure for HIV infection.
Good to know: Edurant helps improve your immune system by reducing HIV levels in your body, which lowers your risk of HIV-related illnesses.
How to Take Edurant
The usual dose is one tablet taken once daily with a meal. It’s important to take Edurant with food to get the right drug levels in your body – a protein drink alone does not replace a meal.
Dosage Instructions
Take one tablet once daily with a meal. Special situations: If you take rifabutin, take two tablets of Edurant once daily. If you take antacids, take them at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after Edurant. If you take H2-receptor antagonists, take them at least 12 hours before or 4 hours after Edurant.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you notice within 12 hours of your usual time, take the tablet as soon as possible with a meal, then take your next dose as usual. If you notice after 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Always take Edurant with a meal for proper absorption.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- stomach pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- depression
- difficulty falling asleep (insomnia)
- abnormal dreams
- sleep disorders
- decreased appetite
- tiredness
- changes in liver tests
- headache
- dizziness
- rash
- depressed mood
- drowsiness
- stomach discomfort
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
- autoimmune disorders
- signs of inflammation from previous infections
- severe allergic reactions
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Edurant, including allergies, other medical conditions, and medicines that cannot be taken together.
Who Should Not Take Edurant
Do not take Edurant if you are allergic to rilpivirine or any ingredients. Do not take with: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin (epilepsy medicines), other NNRTIs, rifampicin, rifapentine (tuberculosis medicines), proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, oral or injected dexamethasone (except single doses), or St John’s wort products.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems (including hepatitis B or C), symptoms of infection or inflammation, or if you are 65 years or older. Edurant has only been used in a limited number of patients aged 65 or older.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnant women should discuss using Edurant with their doctor. HIV-infected mothers must not breastfeed as there is a possibility of infecting the baby with HIV through breast milk.
Immune Reconstitution: Some patients may experience signs of infection or inflammation after starting HIV treatment due to improved immune response. Contact your doctor if this occurs.
Drug Interactions
Edurant can interact with many medicines, affecting how well it works or increasing side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you take.
Timing matters: Some medicines require specific timing – take antacids 2+ hours before or 4+ hours after Edurant, and H2-blockers 12+ hours before or 4+ hours after.
- Other NNRTIs (delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
- Methadone (may need dose adjustment)
- Clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin (may increase Edurant levels)
- Rifabutin (requires Edurant dose increase to 2 tablets)
- H2-receptor antagonists (cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine)
- Antacids (aluminum/magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate)
Alcohol & Driving
Edurant has no or negligible influence on your ability to drive and use machines.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Edurant should not significantly affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but be aware of how the medication affects you individually.
Storage
Store Edurant tablets below 30°C in the original bottle. Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect from light. Keep out of reach of children. The bottle has a child-resistant cap – push down while turning counter-clockwise to open.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Edurant, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edurant works by reducing the amount of HIV in your body over time, which helps improve your immune system. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests to see how well the treatment is working.
Yes, you must take Edurant with a meal. This is important to get the right drug levels in your body. A protein drink alone does not replace a meal.
No, Edurant is not addictive. However, you should never stop taking it without talking to your doctor first, as this could increase the risk of the virus developing resistance.
Do not stop taking Edurant without talking to your doctor first. Even if you feel better, stopping could increase the risk of the virus developing resistance to treatment.
The medication information does not specifically mention alcohol interactions, but you should discuss alcohol use with your doctor as it may affect your overall HIV treatment.
If you notice within 12 hours of your usual time, take the tablet with a meal as soon as possible, then continue with your regular schedule. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Never double dose.
Yes, people taking Edurant must continue to use appropriate precautions like condoms or other barrier methods to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids, as you can still transmit HIV to others.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.