Emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir and Rifabutin interaction
Emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir and Rifabutin: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Rifabutin label · effective 2026-09-01
Rifabutin capsules are contraindicated in patients being treated with cabotegravir/rilpivirine prolonged-release injectable suspension (see PRECAUTIONS-Drug Interactions, Table 2 ).
Bictegravir 75 mg once a day 300 mg once a day (fasted) Healthy subjects ND ↓ AUC 38% ↓ C min 56% ↓ C max 20% Co-administration of rifabutin with Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/ tenofovir alafenamide) is not recommended due to an expected decrease in tenofovir alafenamide in addition to the reported reduction in bictegravir.
ND ↓ AUC by 42% ↓ C min by 48% ↓ C max by 31% Co-administration of rifabutin with Odefsey (rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine) is not recommended, due to an expected decrease in tenofovir alafenamide in addition to the reported reduction in rilpivirine.
Co-administration of rifabutin with cabotegravir/rilpivirine prolonged-release injectable suspension is contraindicated.
Therefore, co-administration with antiretroviral and anti-HCV drugs metabolized by CYP3A is not recommended or there may be a need to increase the dose of antiretroviral or anti-HCV drugs (see PRECAUTIONS-Drug Interactions ).
From the Emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir (COMPLERA) label · effective 2025-07-16
Antimycobacterials: rifampin rifapentine ↓ RPV Coadministration is contraindicated due to potential for loss of virologic response and development of resistance. rifabutin ↓ RPV The interaction was evaluated in a clinical study.
Coadministration of RPV and drugs that induce CYP3A may result in decreased plasma concentrations of RPV and loss of virologic response and possible resistance to RPV or to the class of NNRTIs.
If COMPLERA is coadministered with rifabutin, an additional 25 mg tablet of RPV (Edurant) once per day is recommended to be taken concomitantly with COMPLERA and with a meal for the duration of rifabutin coadministration.
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.