Rilpivirine is an oral non- nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used to treat HIV-1. When HIV infects a cell, the virus first binds and fuses with the cell, releasing its nucleocapsid containing its RNA and reverse transcriptase into the cytosol of the cell. The reverse transcriptase converts the viral RNA into viral DNA. The viral DNA goes through the process of transcription and translation to produce viral proteins. These viral proteins are assembled and new HIV viruses buds from the cell. Nevirapine enters the cell through the solute carrier family 22 member 1 transporter and binds to and inhibits reverse transcriptase, preventing the formation of viral DNA from viral RNA. Since less viral DNA is formed, less of this DNA is available in the nucleus to undergo transcription and translation, consequently, less viral proteins are formed. This reduces the formation of new viruses since there are fewer viral proteins. Rilpivirine is only effective against HIV-1, and not against HIV-2. Signs and symptoms of HIV such as Chronic fatigue, rapid weight loss, nausea, vomiting, coughing and shortness of breath, recurring fever/chills, rashes/ sores may be relieved from taking rilpivirine. The internal conformational flexibility of rilpivirine and the plasticity of the binding site causes this drug to have high potency and reduces the chance of resistance compared to other NNRTI's. Side effects of nevirapine include rash, nausea, fever, fatigue, headache, stevens-johnson syndrome, liver injury, jaundice, joint ache, edema and blisters.

Rilpivirine Mechanism of Action References