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Overview: Edurant is used to treat HIV. It works by helping stop the spread of HIV in your body. Common side effects include a depressed mood, headache, trouble sleeping, and rash. Some of these side effects can be severe or a sign of a more serious problem. Edurant interacts with many other medicines. Tell your health care providers about all medicines and supplements you take. Edurant is taken by mouth, either as a tablet or as a tablet that is mixed into water and swallowed.

Uses

What is Edurant used for?

Edurant (rilpivirine) is commonly used for the treatment of HIV.

Edurant may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Edurant work (mechanism of action)?

Edurant works to help stop the spread of HIV in your body. A lower amount of HIV in your body helps protect and preserve the immune system.

How is Edurant supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Edurant
  • Edurant PED

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 25 mg oral tablets
  • 2.5 mg tablets for oral suspension

How should I store Edurant?

Oral Tablet. Edurant oral tablet should be stored in the original container at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.

Oral Tablet for Suspension. Edurant oral tablet for suspension should be stored in the original blister package at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light and moisture. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Edurant?

The most common side effects of Edurant are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Depressed mood (see below)
  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Rash (see below)

There may be other side effects of Edurant that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Edurant?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Edurant are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Edurant. Keep all appointments for blood tests to check the health of your liver. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Mood Changes or Depression. Edurant may cause a depressed mood or other changes in mood. This may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, restlessness, depression, negative thoughts, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Immune System Changes. When you start Edurant, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of infection.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Vision problems
  • Confusion, problems talking, or headache
  • Skin problems such as a painful rash or warts
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Weakness or coordination problems

Severe Rash or Allergic Reactions. Edurant may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Call your health care provider right away if you get a rash. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have a rash plus any of the following symptoms.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching or bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness, or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)
  • Skin blisters or mouth sores
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Edurant?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Edurant.

  • Edurant 
  • Rilpivirine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Edurant.

Drug Interactions. Edurant should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Edurant, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Edurant before using it?

Do not take Edurant unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Edurant with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Edurant out of the reach of children.

Take each dose of Edurant with a meal. Follow your health care provider’s advice on how to take it with other HIV medicines.

Edurant comes as a tablet that you swallow and a tablet that is mixed in water and swallowed (a tablet for suspension). You should not switch between these products without talking with your health care provider. Check the product closely to be sure you get the right medicine each time. You may need a different dose if you switch.

If you are taking Edurant tablets for suspension, read and follow the instructions that come with the medicine and make sure you understand how to take it properly. Mix the tablet with water in a cup, swirl carefully for one to two minutes, then drink the mixture right away. If you cannot take it right away, throw away the mixture and prepare a new dose. The tablets for suspension should not be crushed, chewed, or swallowed whole.

Taking certain antacids or supplements at the same time as Edurant can make it not work as well. Talk with your health care provider about the best way to take antacids or supplements while taking Edurant.

It is important to keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for lab tests, before starting this medicine and while you are taking it. This helps your health care provider make sure it is safe for you to take this medicine.

While Edurant (taken along with other medicines) can help keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Edurant does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Edurant?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Edurant is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Edurant could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Edurant while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Edurant, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263 or at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Edurant passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Edurant while breastfeeding. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking Edurant and having HIV.

How can I get more information about Edurant?

For more information about Edurant, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.edurant.com or call them at 800-526-7736.

Interactions

Does Edurant interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Edurant and foods or drinks. Edurant should be taken with a meal.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Edurant.

Does Edurant interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Many medicines interact with Edurant. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Edurant.

  • Any other medicine for HIV
  • A medicine for hepatitis C
  • A medicine for a bacterial or fungal infection 
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
  • Rifampin (Rifadin) or rifapentine (Priftin), which are medicines commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • An antacid containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium
  • An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid) 
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, which is a medicine used for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Methadone, which is an opioid medicine used to treat pain or opioid use disorder
  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Edurant, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Edurant. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Edurant?

If you or someone else has used too much Edurant, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Edurant?

If you miss a dose and it is within 12 hours of the scheduled time, take it with a meal as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. If you miss a dose by more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Missing doses of Edurant can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.