* Generic Name: nevirapine
* Brand Name: Viramune
* What is nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
* What are the possible side effects of nevirapine (Viramune,
Viramune XR)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
* How should I take nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
* What happens if I overdose (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
* What should I avoid while taking nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune
XR)?
* What other drugs will affect nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune
XR)?
* Where can I get more information (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
What is nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Nevirapine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.
Nevirapine is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nevirapine is not a cure for HIV
or AIDS, and should not be used to prevent HIV.
Nevirapine oral solution (liquid) is for use in adults and children as
young as 15 days old. Nevirapine extended-release tablets are for use
in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
Nevirapine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
joint or muscle pain, fever, mouth sores, facial swelling,
blistering skin rash, flu symptoms, swollen glands, feeling weak or
tired, severe tingling or numbness, pain or burning when you urinate,
swelling in your legs or feet, cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, or
swelling in your lips, tongue, or throat.
Nevirapine can cause life-threatening effects on the liver, especially
in women. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these liver
symptoms while taking nevirapine: nausea, loss of appetite, upper
stomach pain, tiredness, fever, unexplained muscle pain or
weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Nevirapine may also cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions.
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have: a
fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in
your eyes, skin pain, and a red or purple skin rash that spreads and
causes blistering and peeling. This type of reaction is a medical
emergency.
Nevirapine may increase your risk of certain infections or
autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system
works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment
with nevirapine. Tell your doctor if you have:
* signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands,
mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
* chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing,
feeling short of breath;
* cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
* rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly
feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
* trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of
bladder or bowel control; or
* swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual
changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.
Common side effects may include:
* skin rash; or
* changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about nevirapine
(Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Your blood will need to be tested often during the first few months you
are taking nevirapine.
Nevirapine can cause severe or fatal liver problems. Stop taking this
medicine and call your doctor at once if you have: nausea, loss of
appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, unexplained muscle pain
or weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of
the skin or eyes).
Nevirapine may also cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions.
Stop taking nevirapine and get emergency medical help if you have: a
fever, swelling in your face or tongue, skin pain, or a rash that
spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
Viramune Patient Information including How Should I Take
HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments
HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nevirapine
(Viramune, Viramune XR)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to nevirapine, or
if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
Some medicines can interact with nevirapine and should not be used at
the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if
you use any of the following drugs:
* atazanavir;
* delavirdine;
* etravirine;
* itraconazole;
* ketoconazole;
* rifampin;
* rilpivirine;
* St. John's wort; or
* telaprevir.
To make sure nevirapine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
* skin problems;
* liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or cirrhosis);
* kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
* if you have ever taken delavirdine or efavirenz and they were not
effective in treating your condition.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby.
However, nevirapine may be more likely to cause liver damage in a
pregnant woman. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly
treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to
control your infection.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry.
This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any
effects of nevirapine on the baby.
Nevirapine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor
about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with
spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby
is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast
milk.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
How should I take nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Starting with a low
dose can reduce your risk of skin reactions.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how often to take
this medicine.
Nevirapine must be given in combination with other antiviral
medications and it should not be used alone.
Nevirapine can be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it
whole.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
While using nevirapine, you will need frequent blood tests (especially
during the first 18 weeks of treatment).
Use nevirapine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Call your doctor at once at the first sign of any skin rash, no matter
how mild.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all
medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or
patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your
doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person
with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Viramune Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments
HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
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 take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you have not taken nevirapine for 7 days in a row, call your doctor
before you start taking the medicine again. You may need to start with
a lower dose.
What happens if I overdose (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage.
Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other
people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes.
Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission
during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a
healthy person.
What other drugs will affect nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Many drugs can interact with nevirapine, or make it less effective. Not
all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all
your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
* antiviral medication to treat hepatitis C;
* an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
* birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
* a blood thinner (warfarin and others);
* ergot medicine (dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, and others);
* heart or blood pressure medication;
* medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection; or
* seizure medication.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
nevirapine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any
healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information (Viramune, Viramune XR)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about nevirapine.
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