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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ne
VYE ra
peen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Viramune® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
(Non-Nucleoside) |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- Severe, life-threatening liver problems have been reported. Some
have caused death. Severe, life-threatening skin problems have been reported.
Some have caused death. Your healthcare provider will be watching your liver and
skin very closely during the first 12 weeks of therapy. One-third of severe
reactions do occur after the first 12 weeks. During the first 14 days a lower
dose of the medicine is used to decrease skin rashes. This medicine should
always be used with other medicines in the treatment of HIV disease. If you have
a severe skin reaction, an allergy, or any signs or symptoms of hepatitis then
never take nevirapine again
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to nevirapine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you are taking oral contraceptives or
ketoconazole.
|
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines. It should never be taken by itself.
- This medicine is not recommended in prevention of HIV after an
accidental exposure to the virus.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Nevirapine stops the HIV virus from increasing. It blocks reproduction
of the virus.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well first. If liquid (suspension) is poured
in a cup, rinse with water and drink to get all of the
medicine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
- If you have missed 7 days of medicine contact healthcare provider
before starting again.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not take St. John's wort with this medicine. St. John's wort may
prevent this medicine from working to fight the HIV infection.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Tell healthcare provider if you have had hepatitis or any other liver
problems.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Has been used during labor in women who are infected with HIV.
- Do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking
this medicine. Birth control pills may not be effective.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Rash. This can sometimes be a serious side effect. It can even cause
death in rare situations.
- Fever.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Rare, but life-threatening cases of liver disease. Some patients have
needed liver transplants and some have died from this side
effect.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work before, during, and after the first 12 weeks of
treatment. Expect to have monthly blood work drawn and before and after a dose
increase. Talk with healthcare provider for more details.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash or reaction with blistering, mouth sores, eye redness, muscle
or joint aches, swelling or fever.
- Feeling tired, belly pain or tenderness, dark urine, yellow eyes or
skin, not hungry, light colored stools.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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