Juluca (Dolutegravir/Rilpivirine)

Juluca (Dolutegravir and Rilpivirine) is a prescription medication used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that can cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Juluca is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Juluca can help prevent HIV from multiplying in your body. Juluca is only for use in people who have been successfully treated with other antiviral medications for at least 6 months. Juluca contains a combination of dolutegravir and rilpivirine, which are both antiviral medications. Dolutegravir belongs to a class of drugs called integrase inhibitors, and works by blocking certain steps in the viral cell replication process. Rilpivirine belongs to a class of drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and works by interfering with a certain enzyme needed for HIV-infected cells to replicate. Together, these medications can prevent replication of the virus cells, and lower the level of HIV in your body.

Manufacturer Information

Common side effects of Juluca may include headache or diarrhea.

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice more serious side effects such as:
• Anxiety, sadness, feeling hopeless;
• Signs of liver problems (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, right-sided upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice);
• Signs of a new infection (fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss);
• Swelling in your neck or throat, menstrual changes, impotence;
• Thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
• Trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you notice any other side effects not listed here, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

You should not use Juluca if you are allergic to dolutegravir or rilpivirine. To make sure Juluca is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver problems, mental illness, a severe skin rash or allergic reaction to dolutegravir or rilpivirine, or if you also take rifabutin. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Juluca may harm an unborn baby if you take the medication at the time of conception or during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of the medication on the baby. Use your medication properly to control HIV. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk. This medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person. Several medications may interact with Juluca, especially antacids or laxatives that contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, buffered medication, an ulcer medication sucralfate, dofetilide, St John’s wort, dexamethasone, seizure medications, rifampin or rifapentine, or proton pump inhibitors. This is not a complete list of interactions, and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking or have recently taken in order to reduce the risk of any possible interactions.

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