Juluca® for HIV-1 Maintenance Therapy

What Juluca® Is and How It Works

Juluca® is a fixed-dose antiretroviral tablet that contains dolutegravir 50 mg (an integrase strand transfer inhibitor) and rilpivirine 25 mg (a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor). It is indicated as a complete regimen to maintain virologic suppression in adults with HIV‑1 who are already suppressed and have no history of treatment failure or known resistance to its components. Patients switch to Juluca to simplify therapy while keeping HIV‑1 RNA undetectable. Many people compare options and Buy Juluca online to manage costs, and some look for Juluca without insurance pricing support.

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Juluca is taken once daily with a meal. Dolutegravir blocks integrase, which HIV uses to insert viral DNA into host cells. Rilpivirine blocks reverse transcriptase, reducing viral replication. Together they act at two steps in the HIV lifecycle to maintain suppression.

Dosage and Usage

• Standard dose: one tablet (50 mg dolutegravir/25 mg rilpivirine) once daily with a meal.
• Administration: swallow whole with water; do not chew or crush.
• Meal requirement: take with a normal meal; a protein drink alone is not sufficient.
• Timing: take at the same time each day to support adherence.
• Gastric acid interactions: proton pump inhibitors are contraindicated.
• H2-receptor antagonists: give at least 12 hours before or 4 hours after Juluca.
• Antacids: take antacids at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after Juluca.
• Mineral supplements (iron/calcium): take with the meal at the same time as Juluca, or separate by 6 hours before/4 hours after.
• Strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort) are contraindicated due to reduced rilpivirine exposure.
• Rifabutin coadministration is generally avoided; consult the prescriber if rifabutin is necessary.
• Missed dose: if less than 12 hours since the scheduled time, take with a meal as soon as possible; otherwise, skip the missed dose.
• Vomiting: if vomiting occurs within 4 hours of the dose, consider taking another dose with a meal.
• Juluca is a complete regimen and should not be used with other antiretrovirals.

• Store at 15–30°C (59–86°F) in the original bottle with desiccant; keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Protect from moisture and keep out of reach of children.
• For travel, keep tablets in your carry-on with the labeled pharmacy container.
• Do not leave medicine in a hot car; avoid temperatures above 30°C (86°F) for extended periods.
• If a dose is needed while traveling, set phone reminders so you stay on schedule.

Benefits and Savings

Juluca can maintain viral suppression with two active drugs in a single daily tablet. Simplifying therapy may reduce pill burden and drug exposure, while keeping HIV‑1 RNA undetectable when used in appropriate patients. It does not require a booster and has manageable interaction guidance when separated from acid-reducing agents and minerals.

Ordering from Canada can lower costs. Expect typical savings of 60–80% versus many US retail prices, depending on quantity and market conditions. For those paying Juluca price without insurance, cross‑border sourcing and multi‑month supplies can help reduce the monthly out-of-pocket spend. Reorder reminders are available so refills are not missed. Bulk promotions may cut the per‑month Juluca cost compared with single-bottle purchases.

For current promotions, see our Juluca manufacturer coupon.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, fatigue.
• Sleep and mood: insomnia, abnormal dreams; depressive symptoms can occur with rilpivirine.
• Skin: rash, usually mild; report severe or progressive rash promptly.
• Laboratory changes: increases in liver enzymes may occur, especially with hepatitis coinfection.
• Other: musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, or decreased appetite in some patients.

Serious reactions are uncommon but can include severe skin reactions, hepatotoxicity, depression or suicidal ideation, hypersensitivity reactions, and QT prolongation risk with rilpivirine. Do not use with proton pump inhibitors or strong CYP3A inducers. Use caution with significant hepatic disease. Juluca is not recommended for patients with active hepatitis B without an additional HBV‑active regimen; consider alternative HIV therapy in that setting. Discuss pregnancy planning and potential drug interactions with the care team.

Onset Time

Juluca is used to maintain an already undetectable viral load. After switching, providers typically check viral load within 4–8 weeks to confirm continued suppression, then at routine intervals. Tolerability is often clear in the first few weeks. Some side effects, such as headache or nausea, tend to lessen as the body adapts. Weight change is not a treatment goal and varies between individuals.

Compare With Alternatives

Triumeq combines dolutegravir with abacavir/lamivudine in a single tablet for once‑daily dosing. It is an effective complete regimen but includes abacavir, which requires HLA‑B*5701 screening for hypersensitivity risk. See Triumeq® for product availability.

Apretude is an injectable long‑acting regimen containing cabotegravir and rilpivirine given monthly or every two months in a clinic after an oral lead‑in. It suits patients who prefer clinic‑administered therapy instead of daily pills. Learn more at Apretude® Injectable Suspension.

Another option is dolutegravir/lamivudine (a two‑drug tablet used in initial therapy and for certain switch scenarios). Raltegravir‑based regimens, such as those using Isentress®, require a companion NRTI backbone and more than one tablet daily in many cases.

Combination Therapy

• Juluca is a complete regimen; do not combine with other antiretroviral drugs.
• Acid-reducing agents need timing adjustments; avoid proton pump inhibitors entirely.
• Iron and calcium can be taken with the meal alongside Juluca or separated as directed to maintain absorption.
• Strong enzyme inducers are contraindicated; consider alternative anti‑infective choices where possible.
• Hepatitis B coinfection often requires an HBV‑active regimen; an HIV regimen other than Juluca may be preferred.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with HIV‑1 who have been virologically suppressed (HIV‑1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on a stable regimen for at least six months, have no history of treatment failure, and have no known resistance to dolutegravir or rilpivirine. Patients should be able to take the dose with a meal and follow interaction timing for acid reducers and minerals.

Juluca may not be suitable for people requiring proton pump inhibitors or strong CYP3A inducers, those with known rilpivirine or dolutegravir resistance, significant uncontrolled hepatic disease, certain cardiac conduction risks, or active hepatitis B without appropriate HBV therapy. Discuss pregnancy, breastfeeding, and psychiatric history with a clinician when considering a switch.

Cost tips: multi‑month quantities can lower the monthly Juluca tablets price. Set up simple reorder reminders to avoid gaps. Compare Juluca tablet cost, Juluca cash price, and Juluca out of pocket totals across quantities to find the best value for your situation. If needed, ask service staff about practical ways to manage Juluca price without insurance.

Authoritative Sources

ViiV Healthcare Juluca product page

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Juluca

FDA Prescribing Information: Juluca (dolutegravir/rilpivirine)

Order Juluca® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and the medication guide provided with your prescription.