Juluca (Dolutegravir And Rilpivirine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Juluca Used For?
Juluca is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients: dolutegravir and rilpivirine. It’s specifically designed to treat HIV infection in adults.
Primary Uses
Juluca is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It helps keep the amount of virus in your body at a low level and maintains the number of CD4+ cells in your blood, which are important white blood cells that help your body fight infection.
How It Works
Dolutegravir belongs to a group of medicines called integrase inhibitors (INIs), while rilpivirine belongs to a group called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Together, they work to control HIV infection, though they do not cure it.
Important: Juluca does not cure HIV infection and you can still pass HIV to others through sexual contact or blood/bodily fluids, although the risk is lowered by taking antiretroviral therapy.
How to Take Juluca
Juluca should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it consistently every day to maintain its effectiveness.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet taken once daily with a meal. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. It’s important to take Juluca with food – a protein-rich nutritional drink alone does not replace a meal. If you take certain other medications, this may affect when you can take Juluca.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s less than 12 hours before your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If it’s more than 12 hours until your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Always take Juluca 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:
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach pains or discomfort
- diarrhea
- increased gas (flatulence)
- decreased appetite
- weight gain
- depression
- anxiety
- difficulty sleeping or falling asleep (insomnia)
- abnormal dreams
- sleep disorders
- fatigue, lack of energy, feeling drowsy
- itching
- joint pain
- muscle pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- allergic reactions (swelling of lips, tongue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, rash, hives)
- suicidal thoughts and behaviors (especially in patients with previous depression or mental health problems)
- liver failure (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes, unusually dark urine)
- anemia (fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, headache)
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Juluca.
Who Should Not Take Juluca
Do not take Juluca if you are allergic to dolutegravir, rilpivirine, or any other ingredients. Also avoid if you take: dofetilide, pilsicainide, fampridine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, rifapentine, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, dexamethasone, or products containing St John’s wort.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all medicines you take. People with advanced HIV infection may experience symptoms of infection and inflammation when starting treatment as their immune system recovers.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Discuss the benefits and risks if you are breastfeeding, as dolutegravir passes into breast milk in small amounts.
Immune Recovery: When starting HIV treatment, your recovering immune system may cause old infections to flare up or attack healthy tissue. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop new symptoms.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Juluca and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Timing Important: If you take antacids, take Juluca at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after the antacid. For H2-receptor antagonists, take Juluca at least 4 hours before or 12 hours after.
- metformin (diabetes medication)
- antacids for indigestion and heartburn
- H2-receptor antagonists (famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, ranitidine)
- calcium and iron supplements
- rifabutin (tuberculosis treatment)
- clarithromycin, erythromycin (antibiotics)
- methadone (pain medication)
- efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine (other HIV medications)
- other HIV treatment medications
Alcohol & Driving
Juluca may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Juluca affects you. Juluca may cause dizziness or make you feel less alert than normal.
Storage
Store Juluca in the original bottle below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep the desiccant in the bottle after opening and keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Juluca, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you have no symptoms of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Juluca helps keep HIV virus levels low in your body, but you need to take it every day to maintain its effectiveness. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests.
Yes, you must take Juluca with a meal. It’s important for proper absorption – a protein-rich nutritional drink alone does not replace a meal.
Do not stop taking Juluca suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor. You need to keep taking it every day to prevent your HIV infection from getting worse.
No, Juluca does not cure HIV infection. However, it keeps the amount of virus in your body at a low level and helps maintain your CD4+ cell count, which is important for fighting infections.
Yes, you can still pass HIV to others through sexual contact or blood/bodily fluids while taking Juluca, although the risk is lowered by taking antiretroviral therapy. Use proper precautions to prevent transmission.
If it’s less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose. If it’s more than 12 hours until your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose.
Yes, your doctor will arrange regular blood tests to monitor for side effects and check how well the medication is working for you.
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.