Complera® single‑tablet HIV treatment taken once daily with food

What Complera® Is and How It Works

Complera® is a complete once‑daily HIV‑1 treatment that combines three medicines in one tablet: emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It is used in treatment‑naive adults and adolescents who have no known resistance to the components and a baseline viral load suitable for rilpivirine‑based therapy. The tablet is taken by mouth with a meal. Many patients compare Complera price options when they buy Complera online, especially when paying without insurance.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

We source through licensed, vetted partner pharmacies internationally to supply authentic brand medications across a broad selection at patient‑friendly prices.

Mechanism: emtricitabine and tenofovir are nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that block viral DNA synthesis, while rilpivirine is a non‑nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that binds reverse transcriptase and reduces replication. Together they lower viral load and support immune recovery when taken consistently. Complera® is not for pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Dosage and Usage

• Standard dose: one tablet once daily with a meal (not just a snack).
• Swallow whole; do not chew, split, or crush.
• Take at the same time each day to maintain levels.
• Missed dose: if within 12 hours of the usual time, take with a meal promptly; if more than 12 hours, skip and resume the next dose at the usual time.
• Vomiting: if vomiting occurs within 4 hours of the dose, take another tablet with a meal; if more than 4 hours, do not take an extra dose.
• Acid‑reducing agents: proton pump inhibitors are contraindicated; separate antacids by at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after; H2‑receptor antagonists 12 hours before or 4 hours after.
• Contraindicated with strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort).
• Assess hepatitis B virus (HBV) status before starting; monitor for HBV flare if therapy stops.

• Store at room temperature 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) in the original bottle with the desiccant.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed; protect from moisture and excessive heat.
• For travel, keep tablets in the labeled container in carry‑on baggage with your prescription copy.
• Avoid leaving tablets in a hot car or near heaters.
• Pack enough for delays; consider a spare supply in a separate bag.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Complera® offers the simplicity of a single tablet regimen with once‑daily dosing and a food‑enhanced absorption profile. Many patients achieve rapid viral load decline and improved CD4 counts when adherence is strong. The fixed‑dose combination reduces pill burden and can help streamline daily routines.

Buying from a Canadian pharmacy can provide meaningful savings. Typical customers report 60–80% lower costs compared with common U.S. prices. If paying without insurance, you can further manage the Complera cost by choosing multi‑month supplies when available. We also send reorder reminders so therapy is not interrupted.

To see current promotions, visit our Complera coupon page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, tiredness.
• Central nervous system: trouble sleeping, abnormal dreams, mood changes.
• Skin: rash may occur; report severe or persistent rash.
• Musculoskeletal: possible decreases in bone mineral density with tenofovir DF.
• Kidneys: increases in creatinine or renal tubular effects; periodic monitoring may be used.
• Liver: elevated enzymes; risk of severe HBV exacerbation after stopping.

Serious but less common risks include lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, severe skin reactions (including DRESS), depressive disorders, and QT prolongation with supratherapeutic rilpivirine exposure. Avoid contraindicated medicines that lower rilpivirine levels or alter gastric pH. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, deep fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, suicidal thoughts, yellowing skin or eyes, or widespread blistering rash.

For an overview of medication interaction principles, you can read our article on Drug Interactions The Top Interactions That Should Be On Your Radar.

Onset Time

Viral load typically begins to decline within 2–4 weeks of consistent daily dosing. Many patients see a substantial drop by 8–12 weeks as rilpivirine and the NRTIs maintain steady blood levels, and CD4 counts may start trending upward over the following months. Weight and energy changes vary by individual and are influenced by baseline health, diet, and adherence.

Compare With Alternatives

Some patients and prescribers prefer integrase inhibitor‑based single tablet regimens for first‑line therapy due to a high barrier to resistance and convenient dosing. Others do well on NNRTI‑based regimens like Complera® when baseline viral load and resistance profiles are appropriate.

Darunavir‑based combinations can be chosen for patients who need a boosted protease inhibitor. Prezcobix® (darunavir/cobicistat) is taken with additional NRTIs as part of a complete regimen, and may be considered where resistance or prior treatment history guide the choice.

Different NRTI backbones are also used in practice. Kivexa® (abacavir/lamivudine) is combined with an appropriate third agent; HLA‑B*5701 screening is standard before abacavir to reduce hypersensitivity risk. Selection depends on renal function, comorbidities, and drug interaction profiles.

For prevention, long‑acting cabotegravir is used in some settings as PrEP and is not a substitute for treatment. See Apretude® Injectable Suspension for prevention discussions separate from therapy.

Combination Therapy

• Complera® is a complete regimen and should not be taken with other antiretroviral agents that duplicate components.
• Strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine) reduce rilpivirine levels; such combinations are contraindicated.
• Proton pump inhibitors are contraindicated; stagger antacids and H2 blockers as directed above.
• If switching regimens, clinicians may coordinate transitions to maintain suppression; do not alter therapy without professional guidance.
• HBV coinfection needs careful planning if therapy stops; monitoring for HBV flare is recommended.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Complera® may be suitable for adults and adolescents with HIV‑1 who have no known resistance to rilpivirine, emtricitabine, or tenofovir DF, and an initial viral load appropriate for an NNRTI‑based regimen. It is taken with food, which helps rilpivirine absorption. Renal function, bone health, mood history, and potential drug interactions are part of routine evaluation.

Not all patients are candidates. Avoid use with proton pump inhibitors, strong enzyme inducers, or in settings where dose adjustment of rilpivirine would be required (not possible with the fixed‑dose tablet). Use caution with significant renal impairment. Pregnancy can lower rilpivirine levels; prescribers may consider alternatives during later trimesters.

Ways to lower the Complera cost include larger fills when available, watching for a Complera discount during periodic promotions, and signing up for reorder reminders so the next shipment is planned ahead. Some shoppers compare Complera cash price options or search for a Complera deal to reduce out‑of‑pocket spend for uninsured buyers. This can help those who are Complera uninsured stretch their budget while staying on therapy.

For condition education and related items, browse our Hiv section, and see our piece on National Hiv Testing Day 2025 Get Tested Know Your Status.

Authoritative Sources

Gilead Complera Prescribing Information (US)

Health Canada Product Monograph for Complera

FDA Labeling for Complera

Order Complera® from Youdrugstore.com: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express handling.

This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about medications and care.