Guides

Eviplera (rilpivirine + tenofovir + FTC)

3 May 2013. Related: ARVs, Fixed dose combinations, NNRTIs, Nukes.



EV-ee-pleer-a

  • Eviplea is the European tradename for a fixed dose combination of rilpivirine, tenofovir and FTC.
  • In the US Eviplera is called Complera.
  • Standard adult dose: 1 pill once-daily (not approved for people younger than 18 years old).
  • Take with a meal – at least 400 kcal. Absorption of rilpivirine is reduced by 40% if taken without food. A protein shake is not suitable. The food requirement was originally 530 kcal but this was recently reduced for the combined formulation of rilpivirine. For more details see this Q&A. For examples of 530 kcal meals see this leaflet.
  • Side effects: as with the individual drugs in this formulation. These include depressive disorders (depressed mood, depression, mood altered, negative thoughts, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation), rash, nausea, liver problems.
  • Other notes: Eviplera is currently only approved for use in combinations in people starting treatment for the first time (treatment-naive) who have a viral load that is less than 100,000 copies/mL
  • Resistance to rilpivirine in Eviplera is closely linked to less than perfect adherence.
  • Resistance to rilpivirine is likely to result in resistance to other NNRTIs including nevirapine or efavirenz. For this reason it is not recommended to use if you are not adherent.

Further information

Information on tenofovir side effects from the i-Base side effects guide.

The European patient information and detailed Product Information for Eviplera are available from this link on the European Medicines Agency (EMA) website.

The US label for Complera can be viewed on the US FDA drugs.gov website as a PDF file at this link.

The Patient Information is a simplified summary: what the drug is, why it is used, results from studies and cautions including side effects.

The Product Information is a detailed technical summary that you can access as a PDF file by clicking the ‘Product Information’ tab. It describes more precisely how the drug works and how it is processed by your body. This includes, for example, reported food interaction studies in terms of calories or fat content. It includes more details of the study results and a full list of side effects and drug interactions.