Nevirapine
Description
Nevirapine is an antiviral medicine which is used in combination with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It only prevents the virus from multiplying in your body. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nevirapine
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Dark colored urine
- Fever
- Skin Rash
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Hives
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Pain in the arms and legs
Uses of Nevirapine
What is it prescribed for?
- HIV infection
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is recommended for use in pregnant women only if necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is recommended for use in breastfeeding women only in life-threatening conditions. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to nevirapine.
Hepatic impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of moderate to severe hepatic impairment due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Post-exposure prophylaxis
This medicine is not recommended for use in post-exposure prophylaxis treatment for HIV infection.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is recommended for use in pregnant women only if necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is recommended for use in breastfeeding women only in life-threatening conditions. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Fat redistribution
Nevirapine may cause fat gain or fat loss from the body. This may result in peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and Cushingoid appearance. Close monitoring of body weight and body fat distribution is necessary while receiving this medicine. Any changes in the body should be informed to the doctor on priority.
Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of immune reconstitution syndrome. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate corrective measures and dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Skin rash
Nevirapine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening skin reactions. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any unusual reactions such as rashes or blisters. Therapy with the medicine may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Nevirapine is missed, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Clarithromycin
Fluvoxamine
Atazanavir
Atorvastatin
Darunavir
Disease interactions
Hepatotoxicity
Nevirapine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver diseases. Liver function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Therapy with the medicine may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Skin Rash
Nevirapine should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and hypersensitivity reactions characterized by a rash. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any unusual reactions such as a rash or blisters. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Renal Dysfunction
Nevirapine should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal diseases. Renal function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Nevirapine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying. This helps in reducing the chances of development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related illnesses.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - NEVIRAPINE - nevirapine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Nevirapine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Nevirapine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 1 September 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.