MedlinePlus Drug Information: Nevirapine

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Other drug names:	A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9

Nevirapine

(ne vye' ra peen)

Brand name(s): Viramune

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know?

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Nevirapine can cause severe, life-threatening liver damage that can be fatal. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: excessive tiredness, lack of energy, upset stomach, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.Nevirapine can cause severe, life-threatening skin reactions that can be fatal. If you experience a severe rash or a rash together with any of the following symptoms, stop taking nevirapine and call your doctor immediately: fever, lack of energy, excessive tiredness, muscle or joint pain, blisters, blisters in the mouth, and pink eye.Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking nevirapine.Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check for liver damage and skin reactions, especially during the first 12 weeks of treatment. If you stop taking nevirapine because of liver damage, skin reactions, or allergic reactions, you should not start taking nevirapine again.For the first 14 days of treatment, you will take a lower dose of nevirapine to reduce the risk of rash.Nevirapine should always be used with other antiviral medications to avoid resistance to the HIV virus.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Nevirapine is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nevirapine is always used along with at least one other antiviral medication to reduce the amount of virus in the blood. Nevirapine is not a cure and may not decrease the number of HIV-related illnesses. Nevirapine does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Nevirapine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily for the first 2 weeks of therapy, and then the dose is increased to twice daily. The dose is lower at first to lessen the risk of side effects. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nevirapine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take nevirapine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nevirapine without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking nevirapine,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nevirapine or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially birth control pills, ketoconazole (Nizoral), methadone (Dolophine), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and vitamins.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort or products containing St. John's wort.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease or a history of alcohol abuse.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking nevirapine, call your doctor.
tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Nevirapine may cause upset stomach. Take nevirapine with food or milk.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from nevirapine are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache
upset stomach

If you experience the following symptom or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

vomiting

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer