Rilpivirine tablets for HIV

About rilpivirine

Rilpivirine is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used for infection par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH). It slows the progress of HIV infection, but it is not a cure. HIV destroys cells in the body, called CD4 T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell and are important because they are involved in protecting your body from infection. If left untreated, the HIV infection weakens your immune system so that your body cannot defend itself against bacteria, viruses and other germs. Rilpivirine slows down the progress of HIV infection by reducing the amount of virus in your body. It does this by stopping the virus from copying (replicating) itself.

Rilpivirine will be prescribed for you by a doctor who is a specialist. It belongs to a group of antiretroviral medicines known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It is given alongside a number of other antiretroviral medicines, as part of a combination therapy. Taking three or more antiretroviral medicines at the same time is more effective than taking one alone. Taking a combination of different medicines also reduces the risk that the virus will become resistant to any individual medicine. It is vital to take them exactly as prescribed to maintain success and to help to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to the medicines. These medicines are usually taken for life.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking rilpivirine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, essayez d'avoir un bébé ou allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie, ou si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about rilpivirine, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take rilpivirine exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is one 25 mg tablet daily. It is important that you take the tablets with a meal, as this will help your body to absorb the full dose. Please note - it is not sufficient to take the tablet with a protein-rich nutritional drink instead of a meal.

• Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break or chew the tablets.

• Try to take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take rilpivirine regularly.

• If you forget to take a tablet at your usual time, you should take it (with a meal) as soon as you remember, providing it is within 12 hours of the time you should have taken the dose. If when you remember, it is more than 12 hours late then do not take the missed tablet, but do remember to take your next tablet on time. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

• Gardez vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin afin que vos progrès puissent être suivis. Vous devrez effectuer des analyses de sang régulières.

• It is important that you continue to take rilpivirine and your other antiretroviral treatment regularly. This will help to prevent the HIV from becoming resistant to the medicines you are taking. Even if you miss only a small number of doses, the virus can become resistant to treatment.

• If you develop an infection soon after you start the treatment, let your doctor know. As a result of taking rilpivirine, your immune system may start fighting an infection which was present before you started the treatment, but which you may not have been aware of.

• Suivez attentivement tous les conseils que votre médecin vous donne concernant les changements de mode de vie pour réduire tout risque de dommage à votre cœur et à vos vaisseaux sanguins. Cela peut inclure l'arrêt du tabac, une alimentation saine et la pratique régulière d'exercice physique.

• Bien que le traitement avec des médicaments antirétroviraux puisse réduire le risque de transmission du VIH à d'autres par contact sexuel, il ne l'élimine pas. Il est important d'utiliser des préservatifs.

• If you are trying for a baby or become pregnant whilst taking rilpivirine, let your doctor know straightaway. Rilpivirine may become less effective during pregnancy and your doctor might ask you to take a different medicine.

• It is not uncommon for people with HIV to feel low or even depressed, especially soon after the diagnosis has been made and treatment has been started. If you have any feelings of depression, or any distressing thoughts about harming yourself, then you should speak with your doctor immédiatement.

• Certaines personnes qui ont pris des médicaments antirétroviraux (en particulier sur une longue période) ont développé une affection appelée ostéonécrose. Il s'agit d'une maladie osseuse où le tissu osseux meurt en raison d'une réduction de l'apport sanguin. Cela entraîne des douleurs articulaires et une raideur, et peut causer des difficultés de mouvement. Si vous remarquez l'un de ces symptômes, parlez-en à votre médecin.

• If you buy any medicines, supplements or herbal remedies 'over the counter', check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with rilpivirine and your other medicines. This is because some medicines interfere with antiretrovirals and can stop them from working properly. In particular, do not take St John's wort. Also, some antacids can reduce the amount of rilpivirine your body absorbs. Because of this, it is recommended that you do not take indigestion remedies during the two hours before or during the four hours after you take rilpivirine.

• Certaines personnes prenant des médicaments antirétroviraux développent des modifications de la répartition de la graisse corporelle dans le corps. Cela peut entraîner des changements dans l'image corporelle. Votre médecin discutera de cette possibilité avec vous.

• Si vous subissez une opération ou un traitement dentaire, informez la personne qui effectue le traitement des médicaments que vous prenez.

• Treatment for HIV is usually lifelong. Continue to take rilpivirine regularly, even if you feel well. This is to keep your immune system healthy.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with rilpivirine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus aux comprimés, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.