Nevirapine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Nevirapine?

What is nevirapine for?

Nevirapine is a drug that is used together with other HIV drugs to control HIV infection. This drug works to reduce the amount of the HIV virus in your body so that your immune system can work better. This medicine can reduce your risk of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improve your quality of life. Nevirapine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTIs) drug.

Nevirapine is not a drug to cure HIV infection. To reduce the risk of spreading HIV disease to others, do the following: (1) continue taking HIV medication as instructed by your doctor, (2) always use an effective method of contraception (condoms made of latex or polyurethane, or dental dams) during the activity sexually, and (3) do not share personal items (such as syringes / needles, toothbrushes, and razors) that may come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Nevirapine should not be used to prevent HIV infection after accidental exposure (such as needles, blood / body fluid contact). A different HIV drug will be used specifically to prevent infection after exposure.

How is nevirapine used?

Use this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily for the first 14 days when you start treatment, then twice daily or as directed by your doctor.

If a liver or skin problem / allergic reaction occurs while you are using this medicine once daily, seek medical attention immediately and do not increase the dose to twice a day.

If you are using liquid suspension of nevirapine, shake the bottle well before using. Measure carefully the dose of this drug using a special spoon of medicine. Don't use a tablespoon as you may not get the right dose. If you are using a special measuring cup, fill the glass with water after using the medicine and take a sip of the water in the glass to make sure that you have taken the full dose.

This dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dose should be adjusted according to body weight.

Do not keep using the dose once daily for more than 28 days. If you are nearing that time, your doctor should consider switching to another medication. Consult your doctor for more detailed information.

If you stop using this medication for more than 7 days for a reason not listed in the severe reactions described in the Warnings section, ask your doctor about instructions on how to start treatment again. You may need more daily medication for the first 14 days to reduce your risk of serious side effects.

It is important to continue to take this drug (and other HIV drugs) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don't skip doses. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often than required, or stop use (or another HIV drug) even for a short time unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing doses without your doctor's approval can cause viral loadings to increase, making infections harder to treat (drug resistance) or worse side effects.

This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at balanced intervals. To help you remember, take this medication the same day every day.

How is nevirapine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Nevirapine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of nevirapine for adults?

Dosage for HIV infection in adults

Immediate-release: 200 mg orally twice a day

Extended-release: 400 mg orally once a day

Dosages for the Reduction of Perinatal HIV Transmission

Women infected with HIV during labor but not yet receiving anterpartum antiretroviral therapy: The US Department of Health and Social Affairs in its panel “Treatment of HIV-Infected Pregnant Women and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission” no longer recommends single-dose Nevirapine. For such cases, the recommended drug is Zidovudine IV.

What is the dose of nevirapine for children?

Dosage for HIV infection in children

Initial dose (initial period dose) :
Immediate-release:
> 15 days: 150 mg / m2 per sip once a day for 14 days
Maximum starting dose: 200 mg / day

Maintenance dose (after the initial dose) :
Immediate-release:
> 15 days: 150 mg / m2 twice daily

Extended-release:
> 6 years:
BSA 0.58-0.83 m2: 200 mg once daily
BSA 0.84-1.16 m2: 300 mg once daily
BSA 1.17 m2 or more: 400 mg once daily
Maximum maintenance dose: 400 mg / day
Panel Recommendations on Antiretrviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Affected Children:
Immediate-release:

Age 15 days - <8 years:

Initial dose: 200 mg / m2 once daily for 14 days
Maintenance dose: 200 mg / m2 twice daily
Maximum dose: 200 mg / dose

Age> 8 years:
Initial dose: 120 - 150 mg / m2 once daily for 14 days
Maintenance dose: 120 to 150 mg / m2 orally twice a day
Maximum dose: 200 mg / dose
The maximum daily dose should not exceed 400 mg.

Dosage for Reducing Perinatal HIV Transmission

Initial formulation:
Birth weight 1.5 - 2 kg: 8 mg / dose for 3 doses
birth weight> 2 kg: 12 mg / oral dose for 3 times the dose
3 doses are recommended in the first week of birth:
First dose: Within 48 hours of birth
Second dose: 48 hours after the first dose
Third dose: 96 hours after the second dose

In what doses is nevirapine available?

Tablet, Oral: 200 mg

Nevirapine side effects

What side effects can I experience from nevirapine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Nevirapine and call your doctor when you experience severe side effects, namely:

• nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• other signs of a new infection
• the earliest sign of a skin rash, no matter how mild

Lighter effects such as:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
• pain in the muscles
• headache, tiredness
• changes in body shape or fat (especially in the arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Nevirapine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using nevirapine?

Before using Nevirapine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nevirapine or any other medications
• tell your doctor and pharmacist about the prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention one of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin) certain antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend) calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem)., Dilacor, Tiazac), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) clarithromycin (Biaxin) certain cancer chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) cisapride (Propulsid) cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine (Cafergot, Ercaf, others) fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq) drugs for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Cordarone) and Disopyramide (Norpace) medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), clonazepam (Klonopin), and ethosuximide (Zarontin) methadone (Dolophine), another drug for HIV or AIDS such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir and ritonavir combination (Kale tra), nelfinavir (Viracept), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) prednisone (Deltasone) rifabutin (Mycobutin) rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf). Many other drugs can interact with nevirapine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you use, even those that don't appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you more carefully for side effects
• tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbal products you use, especially St. John's Wort
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, especially if you are being treated on dialysis (a medication to clean the blood outside of the body when the kidneys are not working properly)
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using nevirapine, call your doctor. You should not breastfeed if you have HIV or are taking nevirapine
• tell your doctor if you are using oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Nevirapine may interfere with the work of oral contraceptives. Talk to your doctor about a contraceptive method that is safe for you
• It is important to know that fat on your body can increase or move to other parts of your body such as your breasts, waist, or upper back

Is nevirapine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in breastfeeding women to know the risks to the baby when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the benefits and risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Nevirapine Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with nevirapine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Many drugs can interact with nevirapine, or make it less effective. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all of your medications and those you start or stop using during treatment with nevirapine, especially:

• maraviroc
• fentanyl, methadone
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin or rifabutin
• antifungal medications such as fluconazole or voriconazole
• ergot drugs such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine
• heart or blood pressure medications such as amiodarone, diltiazem, disopyramide, felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil, etc.
• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection
• other HIV medicines such as darunavir, fosamprenavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir or
• seizure medications such as carbamazepine, clonazepam, or ethosuximide

Can food or alcohol interact with nevirapine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with nevirapine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C - use with caution. May cause side effects to be worse
• liver disease, moderate or severe — should not be used in patients with these conditions

Nevirapine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms include:

• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, and lower legs
• painful red bumps on the skin
• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• difficulty sleeping or always being sleepy
• nausea
• gag
• less weight
• rash
• dizzy

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.