ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Nevirapine is an inducer of hepatic metabolism. After discontinuation, nevirapine has an inductive effect on cytochrome P450 3A4, which persists for a few weeks and which, after switching to rilpivirine, may reduce rilpivirine exposures and have a negative clinical impact. This study evaluates the virological outcome, pharmacokinetics and safety of switching virologically suppressed, HIV-1-infected patients from nevirapine to rilpivirine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This 24 week open-label single-centre study included HIV-1-infected adults with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for >6 months on tenofovir/emtricitabine and nevirapine, who were willing to simplify their regimen to tenofovir/emtricitabine/rilpivirine. Virological suppression, safety and nevirapine and rilpivirine pharmacokinetics were assessed. RESULTS: At weeks 12 and 24, all 32 subjects remained virologically suppressed. One subject discontinued at week 1 for rilpivirine-associated insomnia and two patients chose to resume tenofovir/emtricitabine and nevirapine after week 12 because of rilpivirine-associated food constraint. There was no grade 3/4 laboratory abnormality. Rilpivirine trough concentrations were above the mean trough concentrations observed in Phase 3 studies by 1 week post-switch. Twenty-seven out of 32 patients had no measurable levels of nevirapine by 2 weeks post-switch. The meal accompanying tenofovir/emtricitabine/rilpivirine intake satisfied food requirements in 81% of cases. Overall general satisfaction was improved in 90% of the subjects despite food constraints. CONCLUSION: Nevirapine has a short and limited inductive effect on rilpivirine metabolism, which is not clinically significant. Tenofovir/emtricitabine/rilpivirine is an efficacious and safe option for virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients on nevirapine wishing to simplify their regimen.
