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Juluca (dolutegravir/rilpivirine) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in adults.
Juluca is a type of antiretroviral medicine that contains two drugs: dolutegravir and rilpivirine. They block two enzymes that HIV needs to make more copies of itself. Dolutegravir blocks an enzyme called integrase. Rilpivirine blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase.
Doctors prescribe Juluca to replace a person’s current HIV-1 treatment in certain adults whose HIV is already well controlled. Before switching to Juluca, the amount of HIV in the blood must be below 50 copies per milliliter on a stable HIV treatment for at least six months. The person must also have no history of treatment failure and no known resistance to dolutegravir or rilpivirine.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Juluca is taken by mouth once daily with a meal. A protein drink by itself does not count as a meal.
Some medicines can affect how Juluca works. If you take an H2-receptor antagonist, which is a type of medicine that reduces stomach acid, take Juluca at least four hours before or 12 hours after it. Examples include famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine.
If you take antacids, laxatives, or other products that contain aluminum, calcium carbonate, magnesium, or buffered ingredients, take Juluca at least four hours before or six hours after these products.
You can take iron or calcium supplements at the same time as Juluca if you take them together with a meal. If you do not take them together with Juluca and food, take Juluca at least four hours before or six hours after the supplements.
The recommended dose of Juluca is one tablet by mouth once daily with a meal.
Each tablet contains 50 milligrams of dolutegravir and 25 milligrams of rilpivirine.
If your healthcare provider prescribes rifabutin with Juluca, take Juluca once daily with a meal plus an additional 25-milligram tablet of rilpivirine once daily with a meal for as long as you are taking rifabutin.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Juluca, the most common side effects occurred in at least 2 percent of people. These includes:
Juluca 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. 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.
ViiV Healthcare, the manufacturer of Juluca, offers the ViiVConnect Copay Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per prescription fill.
The program also offers one-on-one support from ViiVConnect access coordinators.
To learn more, visit the ViiVConnect Copay Program website or call 844-588-3288.
Before taking Juluca, tell your doctor if you:
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Juluca if you have ever had an allergic reaction to dolutegravir or rilpivirine.
Do not take Juluca with:
Do not let your supply of Juluca run out. If you stop taking it, the amount of HIV-1 in your blood may increase and the virus may become harder to treat.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember with a meal. Do not take two doses at the same time.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, while taking Juluca, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
A pregnancy registry tracks pregnancy outcomes in people exposed to Juluca. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or calling 800-258-4263.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your healthcare provider. Possible risks include:
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Juluca for HIV?
In two studies that lasted 48 weeks, 1,024 adults with HIV-1 who already had the virus well controlled took part.
At week 48, 95 percent of people who switched to Juluca had an HIV-1 viral load below 50 copies per milliliter. This was the same percentage as people who stayed on their current HIV treatment.
Less than 1 percent of people who switched to Juluca had a viral load of 50 copies per milliliter or higher at week 48.
At week 148, 84 percent of people who had taken Juluca since the start of the studies still had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter.
How long does Juluca take to work for HIV?
Juluca was studied in people whose HIV was already well controlled before they switched treatments.
The studies looked at whether Juluca could keep HIV-1 suppressed at week 48 and week 148. The study does not give an exact shorter time frame for when Juluca starts working.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Juluca for HIV?
Your doctor may monitor you for liver problems while you take Juluca. This is especially important if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C or if your liver enzyme levels were already high before treatment.
Tell your doctor right away if you develop severe depression or other serious mood changes. These symptoms should be checked promptly.
Your doctor should also review the other medicines you take before and during treatment because some medicines can interact with Juluca.
On myHIVteam, people share their experiences with HIV, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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