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COMBINATION DRUG
Complera (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in individuals weighing at least 35 kilograms.
These insights are based on 85 comments about Complera from myHIVteam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Complera contains three medicines in one tablet: emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
These medicines block HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This is an enzyme the virus needs to make copies of itself. Blocking this enzyme helps lower the amount of HIV-1 in the body.
Complera is used as a complete treatment for HIV-1 in people who weigh at least 35 kilograms. It may be used as a first HIV treatment in people who have not taken antiretroviral medicines before and have a viral load of 100,000 copies per milliliter or less.
Complera may also replace a stable HIV treatment in certain people who have a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter. These people must have been on stable treatment for at least six months, have no history of treatment failure, and have no known resistance to the medicines in Complera.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Complera comes as a tablet by mouth, taken once daily with food.
The recommended dose for adults and children who weigh at least 35 kilograms is one tablet taken by mouth once daily with food.
Each Complera tablet contains:
People taking rifabutin should also take an additional 25-milligrams rilpivirine tablet once daily. The extra rilpivirine tablet should be taken with Complera and with a meal for as long as rifabutin is used.
Pregnant people who were already taking Complera before pregnancy and have a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter may continue taking one tablet once daily. Their viral load should be checked closely because rilpivirine levels may be lower during pregnancy.
Complera is not recommended for people whose kidneys cannot clear the medicine well enough. This means an estimated creatinine clearance below 50 milliliters per minute.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 85 comments about Complera from myHIVteam members.
Members who use Complera often say it helps to stay in close contact with your HIV doctor, especially if side effects, mood changes, or lab results shift over time. Many also mention the importance of taking Complera consistently with food and speaking up early if something does not feel right.
Take Complera with food every day.
“You have to strictly take these pills with food.”
Ask about kidney and bone monitoring over time.
“I went from Complera to Odefsey. The reason for me was a potential impact from Complera on my kidney function.”
Keep track of mood or mental health changes.
“My doctor switched me to Complera, the weird dreams and hallucinations stopped, pronto.”
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The most common side effects linked to the medicines in Complera include:
Complera can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Gilead Sciences, Inc, the manufacturer of Complera, offers the Gilead Advancing Access Co-pay Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per month.
The Gilead Advancing Access Program provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for eligible commercially insured people, and you can contact Advancing Access to see if additional cost-sharing assistance is available.
To learn more, visit the Gilead Advancing Access Program website or call 800-226-2056.
Before starting Complera, your doctor will test for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and check kidney functions.
Before taking Complera, tell your healthcare provider if you:
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or by using the online chat.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or any ingredients in Complera.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Complera with:
These medicines may lower the amount of Complera in your body. This may cause the treatment to stop working and may lead to drug resistance.
If you miss a dose by less than 12 hours, take it with food as soon as possible. Then take your next dose at the usual time. If you miss a dose by more than 12 hours, wait and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take an extra dose.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Complera, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. People who were already taking Complera before pregnancy and have a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter may continue taking one tablet once daily. Viral load should be checked closely because rilpivirine levels may be lower during pregnancy.
There is a pregnancy registry for people who take Complera during pregnancy. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or call 800-258-4263.
Breastfeeding is not recommended if you have HIV-1 because HIV-1 may pass to the child. It may also make the child’s HIV-1 harder to treat if the child already has the virus. Medicines in Complera may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the child.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Complera for HIV?
Clinical studies measured how many people had an HIV-1 viral load below 50 copies per milliliter. In two studies of adults starting HIV-1 treatment, 77 percent of those who received rilpivirine with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter at week 96.
Among people who started treatment with a viral load of 100,000 copies per milliliter or less, 83 percent had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter at week 96.
In a study of adults who were already virally suppressed and switched to Complera, 89 percent had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter at week 48.
Studies in children and teens also looked at how many stayed virally suppressed. Results differed based on age, weight, and when viral load was measured.
How long does Complera take to work for HIV?
The studies do not give one exact amount of time for Complera to work in every person. They measured viral load at planned times, such as week 24, week 48, and week 96.
Your healthcare provider will check the amount of HIV-1 in your blood over time. This is called your viral load, and it shows how well treatment is working.
Should I take Complera if I have another infection?
Tell your healthcare provider if you have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or another liver problem before taking Complera. People with hepatitis B or C may have a higher risk of new or worsening liver problems during treatment.
Your healthcare provider may check your liver before and during treatment. Get medical help right away if your skin or eyes turn yellow, your urine becomes dark, your stools become pale, or you have lasting nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain.
Do not stop taking Complera without first speaking with your healthcare provider. If you have hepatitis B, stopping Complera may cause the infection to suddenly get worse.
Complera may be used in people who have never taken HIV medicines before if they weigh at least 35 kilograms and have an HIV-1 viral load of 100,000 copies per milliliter or less.
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