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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 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
Nevirapine (ne-VYE-ra-peen) is used, alone or in combination with other medicines, in the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Nevirapine will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. Nevirapine will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have other problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nevirapine, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nevirapine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Nevirapine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals at high doses have found that it causes decreased body weight of infant animals. Nevirapine did not cause birth defects in animals.
Breast-feeding--Nevirapine passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is usually not recommended in AIDS patients because of the risk of passing the AIDS virus on to the nursing infant.
Children--Granulocytopenia may be more likely to occur in children, who are usually more sensitive than adults to this effect of nevirapine.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. There is no specific information comparing use of nevirapine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking nevirapine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of nevirapine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Nevirapine may be taken with or without food.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first.
Keep taking nevirapine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take one dose a day, try to take it at the same time each day. If you are taking two doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.
Only take medicine that your doctor has prescribed specially for you. Do not share your medicine with others.
Dosing--The dose of nevirapine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of nevirapine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage--To store this medicine:
Do not take any other medicines without checking with your doctor first. To do so may increase the chance of side effects from nevirapine or other medicines.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may decrease the effects of some oral contraceptives (birth control pills). To avoid unwanted pregnancy, it is a good idea to use some additional contraceptive measures while being treated with nevirapine.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chills, fever, or sore throat; skin rash
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Note: |
Chills, fever, and sore throat are more commonly seen in children. |
Less common
Sores or ulcers in the mouth; yellow skin or eyes
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Abdominal or stomach pain; diarrhea; headache; nausea
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 08/04/98
Interim revision: 06/15/99
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