Compare Emtriva vs. Complera
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Works with other medicines to treat HIV infection.
Emtriva (emtricitabine) is a first-line and commonly used drug that is taken in combination with other HIV medications to treat or prevent HIV.
Treats HIV infection
Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) is a convenient 3-in-1 medication used to treat HIV infections.
Upsides
- Emtriva (emtricitabine) is a first-line drug option used in combination with other HIV medications to treat HIV.
- Taken with or without food once a day.
- Emtriva (emtricitabine) is available in many combination tablets if you are looking to lower the number of pills you need to take daily for HIV treatment.
- Emtriva (emtricitabine) is available as a capsule as well as liquid form.
- Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) combines three medications into one tablet, so it's easy to take.
- Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) might be an option for HIV treatment if other HIV drug combinations haven't worked for you.
- There are drug assistance programs available either through the government (AIDS Drug Assistance Program aka. ADAP) or through the drug manufacturer which can help with drug costs and co-pays.
Downsides
- Patients with kidney damage will need to be closely monitored by their doctors in order to provide an appropriate dose.
- Cannot be used by itself to treat or prevent HIV infection.
- Must be taken with a light meal which includes fat.
- Cannot be taken with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like Prilosec or Prevacid. If you need to take an acid reducer, try an antacid like calcium carbonate either 2 hours before or 4 hours after Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir). Drugs like Pepcid or Zantac (H2RAs) may also be an option, but these should be taken 12 hours before or 4 hours after Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir).
- Not recommended for patients who have a significantly high level of viral cells or have a very low level of immune cells.
- Not recommended for patients with kidney damage.
- Can weaken your bones.
Used for
- HIV infection
- HIV prevention
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$548.03
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$3481.22
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Reviews
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Side effects
18possible side effects
- Diarrhea23%
- Nausea18%
- Nasal stuffiness/runniness (Rhinitis)18%
- Rash17%
- Physical weakness and/or lack of energy16%
- Increased cough14%
- Headache13%
- Vomiting9%
- Abdominal pain8%
- Insomnia7%
- Depressive disorders6%
- "Pins and needles" feeling (paresthesia)5%
- Dyspepsia4%
- Muscle pain4%
- Dizziness4%
- Nerve weakness/numbness/pain4%
- Joint pain3%
- Abnormal dreams2%
Risks and risk factors
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Worsening hepatitis B infection
- Hepatitis B Virus infection
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Similar medications
- HIV treatment
- Kidney Damage
- History of kidney damage
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Cannot be used to treat Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis B Virus infection
- Mood and behavior changes
- History of mental health problems
- Decreased bone mineral density
- History of bone fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Kidney damage
- History of kidney damage
- Concurrent use of drugs known to harm kidneys
- Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions
- Prior severe allergic reaction to Complera (emtricitabine / rilpivirine / tenofovir) or any of its individual drug components.