Complera® Tablets for HIV-1 Treatment

Complera is a fixed-dose HIV-1 tablet combining emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir DF. It helps adults and adolescents manage chronic infection under a prescriber’s care. You can review options even without insurance.

What Complera Is and How It Works

Complera® is a complete antiretroviral regimen in one tablet. It combines two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Ships from Canada to US for eligible prescriptions. Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

Rilpivirine blocks reverse transcriptase allosterically, while emtricitabine and tenofovir DF act as chain terminators after phosphorylation. This class combination helps suppress viral replication when taken consistently with food. Rilpivirine emtricitabine tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is the established component set for this regimen.

As a complete regimen, it is generally used alone without additional antiretrovirals unless your clinician directs otherwise. Staying adherent supports durable viral suppression. You should also maintain regular lab monitoring and follow your care plan.

Learn more about the condition and care basics in our guides to Types Of Hiv Tests, Hiv Aids Symptoms, and How Can You Get Hiv. Browse related therapies in Hiv and Antivirals.

Who It’s For

This treatment is indicated for adults and adolescents who meet label criteria. It may be used in those with no prior antiretroviral therapy and appropriate baseline viral load, or in patients already virologically suppressed and stable without resistance to its components.

People with known or suspected resistance to rilpivirine or the NRTI components should avoid this regimen. Those with significant renal impairment, reduced bone density risk, or requiring proton pump inhibitors may need a different option. If you have chronic hepatitis B, stopping the emtricitabine or tenofovir component can lead to acute HBV exacerbations; your clinician will plan monitoring.

Dosage and Usage

The standard schedule is one tablet once daily with a meal. Taking it with food improves rilpivirine absorption; do not take on an empty stomach. Swallow whole with water.

Space acid-reducing agents carefully. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after. H2-receptor antagonists should be taken at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after the daily dose. Proton pump inhibitors are generally contraindicated with rilpivirine-containing regimens. Emtricitabine rilpivirine tenofovir DF is taken consistently at the same time each day.

Do not start, stop, or change other medicines without checking interactions. Always follow the Patient Information and your prescriber’s instructions if they differ from these general points.

Strengths and Forms

This regimen is supplied as film-coated oral tablets, commonly available as Complera 200/25/300 mg tablets. Availability can vary by partner pharmacy and manufacturer packaging.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember with a meal. If it is close to your next scheduled time, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Recurrent missed doses may reduce effectiveness and increase resistance risk; speak with your clinician if you are having trouble with timing.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in the original container with the desiccant, and keep the bottle tightly closed. Protect from moisture and keep out of reach of children and pets.

For travel, carry the labeled bottle in your hand luggage. Bring a copy of your prescription and a medication list for security or customs checks. Consider a small pill organizer for short trips, but keep the original bottle for identification. If changing time zones, shift your dose gradually toward the new local time while keeping doses roughly 24 hours apart; ask your clinician for a plan that fits your itinerary.

When driving or on long flights, pack water and food to ensure you can take the tablet with a meal. Do not store tablets in a hot car. Keep emergency contact and clinic information available.

Benefits

This complete regimen simplifies therapy to a single daily tablet with food. A once-daily schedule can reduce pill burden and support adherence. The combination targets HIV-1 at the reverse transcriptase step using two mechanisms. Many patients appreciate routine dosing aligned to a consistent mealtime.

For education and support, see our article on Hiv Testing Day, and treatment overviews like Biktarvy Guide.

Side Effects and Safety

• Headache
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Insomnia or abnormal dreams
• Dizziness
• Rash
• Depressive symptoms or mood changes

Serious risks can include renal impairment, decreased bone mineral density, severe skin reactions, hepatic adverse events, and lactic acidosis. Worsening of hepatitis B can occur after stopping emtricitabine or tenofovir. Seek urgent care for signs of allergic reactions, severe rash, yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, or intense abdominal pain. Report new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts promptly.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Complera warnings include important interactions. Potent CYP3A inducers can lower rilpivirine levels, reducing effectiveness. Examples include rifampin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and products containing St. John’s wort. Avoid proton pump inhibitors; they can significantly decrease rilpivirine exposure. Some macrolide antibiotics and azoles may increase concentrations; your clinician may choose alternatives.

Avoid coadministration with other antiretrovirals except as directed, because this is intended as a complete regimen. Monitor kidney function during treatment due to the tenofovir component. Review all prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and supplements for interactions, including antacids and H2 blockers. If you have GERD, discuss options; our primer on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease explains common therapies your prescriber may adjust around this regimen.

What to Expect Over Time

With consistent daily dosing and follow-up visits, many people see gradual improvements in lab markers aligned to their care plan. Your clinician will check viral load and CD4 counts at regular intervals. You may not feel different day to day, so lab monitoring is essential. If you experience side effects, do not stop on your own; contact your care team to discuss management options.

Adherence matters. Set reminders tied to a reliable mealtime. Keep a backup dose in a safe place such as a work bag. If life changes make daily timing hard, ask about supports or alternative regimens.

Compare With Alternatives

Some patients may be candidates for newer single-tablet regimens with different tenofovir forms. Odefsey contains emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir alafenamide. Other complete options use integrase inhibitors, which some clinicians prefer based on resistance profiles.

For patients needing an NNRTI taken with a separate backbone, Pifeltro (doravirine) is an alternative combined with nucleoside analogs. Explore broader options in Antivirals and our condition page for Hiv.

Pricing and Access

We list current pricing transparently and support U.S. access with US delivery from Canada. You can compare options and see how cash-pay totals might differ from typical U.S. pharmacy rates. Our checkout is encrypted to protect your information.

Want to track seasonal offers? See our Promotions page for occasional updates. If you are exploring budgets, your clinician can discuss assistance programs and documentation needed for approval or reimbursement.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by manufacturer lot and partner pharmacy. If an item is temporarily unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a clinically appropriate alternative that matches your treatment goals and resistance profile. Emtricitabine rilpivirine tenofovir DF refers to the component names used in this complete regimen.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates can take a daily tablet with food and do not need a proton pump inhibitor. Those with renal concerns, osteoporosis risk, or known resistance may need different options. Share your full medication list, including supplements and antacids, so your clinician can check for interactions.

To help manage costs, consider a multi-month supply when appropriate. Fewer fills can reduce per-fill fees and travel time. Set refill reminders a week before you run low. Keep copies of your prescription and recent labs handy for quick coordination with your care team.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is my baseline viral load appropriate for this complete regimen?
• Do my other medicines interact with rilpivirine or tenofovir DF?
• What lab schedule should I follow during the first few months?
• How should I time antacids or H2 blockers around my dose?
• What signs of kidney or liver problems should I watch for?
• Could an integrase inhibitor–based regimen be a better fit for me?
• What is the plan if I need to switch due to side effects?

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing InformationDailyMed Patient InformationHealth Canada DPD

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