One-pill-a-day HIV treatment: what to know about Acriptega
What is a once-daily HIV pill, and what should you know before using one?
By the Rx Route team7 Oct 20264 min read
Short answer · this is enough
- A fixed-dose combination puts several HIV antivirals into one tablet.
- Per its leaflet, Acriptega contains lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and dolutegravir.
- It is taken every day, and never stopped without a doctor's advice.
- It does not cure HIV. Whether HIV can be passed on depends on a viral load result a clinician confirms.
What is a once-daily HIV pill?
It is a fixed-dose combination: several antiviral medicines in a single tablet. HIV treatment uses more than one medicine together, and putting them in one pill makes the routine simpler.
The World Health Organization says antiretroviral therapy lowers the amount of virus in the body, which allows people with HIV to live full and healthy lives.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. A doctor chooses and starts the regimen.
What is in Acriptega?
According to the South African patient leaflet (SAHPRA, revised 21 November 2024), each film-coated tablet contains lamivudine 300 mg, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg, and dolutegravir 50 mg (as dolutegravir sodium).
That is a foreign-market leaflet, and the Thai label may differ. Read the leaflet inside the box too.
How is it taken?
The usual dose in the leaflet is one tablet once a day, with or without food, for adults aged 18 and over.
Take it exactly as your doctor says, every day. If you forget a dose, take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for the next one. Never double up. Do not share the medicine, and treatment should be started by a doctor experienced in HIV care.
Can you stop it on your own?
No. The leaflet says it helps control HIV but is not a cure. It must be taken every day, and you must not stop without talking to your doctor first.
If side effects bother you or you have another illness, contact your doctor before stopping or restarting. The leaflet adds that people who also have hepatitis B need close monitoring for several months after stopping.
What blood tests are involved?
The leaflet says a doctor may order blood tests to check kidney function before and during treatment, and may adjust how often the tablet is taken. Never lower the dose yourself unless told to.
The medicine can affect the liver and can cause lactic acidosis (acid build-up in the blood). Report symptoms such as unusual weakness or tiredness. Your doctor decides other monitoring, such as viral load tests.
What interacts with it, and what are the common side effects?
Per the leaflet, it must not be used with dofetilide or pilsicainide (heart-rhythm medicines), didanosine, adefovir, or other medicines containing tenofovir, lamivudine, emtricitabine or dolutegravir.
Other medicines to watch:
| Medicine | What the leaflet says |
|---|---|
| Rifampicin (antibiotic) | May lower dolutegravir levels |
| Antacids | Take 2 hours before or 6 hours after Acriptega |
| Calcium and iron supplements | 2 hours before or 6 hours after, or take with food |
| Metformin | Levels may change, so tell your doctor |
Common side effects listed: headache, difficulty sleeping, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, diarrhoea, flatulence, rash and itching.
Signs of serious allergy, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing: stop the medicine and go to hospital at once.
Does it cure HIV, or stop you passing it on?
The leaflet says it does not cure or prevent HIV infection, and that taking it alone will not stop you passing HIV to others, so appropriate precautions must continue.
WHO states that people living with HIV who take antiretroviral therapy and have no evidence of virus in the blood will not pass the virus to their sexual partners. That "undetectable" result has to be confirmed by blood tests with a clinician, and it depends on taking treatment consistently. Do not decide on your own that you are safe.
On pregnancy: the leaflet says not to take it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and advises a pregnancy test before starting in women who could become pregnant. If you are pregnant or planning to be, talk to your doctor first and do not stop on your own.
When to see a doctor or pharmacist
- Before starting, so the regimen can be chosen and blood tests done.
- If you have kidney or liver disease, hepatitis B, or take other medicines, antacids or supplements.
- If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- If you have missed several days of tablets, or want to stop because of side effects, speak to your doctor first.
- Severe allergy, yellow skin or eyes, severe stomach pain, or fast breathing or unusual exhaustion: go to hospital at once.
This information is general knowledge and does not replace a doctor's advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any medicine.
References
- ACRIPTEGA film-coated tablets: patient information leaflet (revised 21 November 2024)Viatris / SAHPRA (South Africa) · 2024
- HIV and AIDS fact sheetWorld Health Organization