[Mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine]

Rilpivirine is a potent nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) with high efficacy in the treatment of HIV infection in treatment-naïve patients. This drug is active against both wild-type HIV-1 and a wide variety of first-generation NNRTI. Rilpivirine has a highly favorable pharmacokinetics profile, but, because its absorption depends on gastric pH, it should be administered with food to ensure correct absorption. Rilpivirine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A and consequently potential interactions should be considered when it is administered with P450 (CYP) 3A inducers or inhibitors. Although higher doses can behave as enzyme inducers, at a dose of 25mg/day, rilpivirine is unlikely to alter the concentrations of other drugs metabolized through this pathway. Because of its prolonged half-life, rilpivirine can be administered orally once daily.