Nevirapine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Viramune

Precautions While Using 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.

Patients taking nevirapine may develop severe liver disease or severe skin reactions that could cause serious side effects. Your doctor will want to check you and do liver function tests in the first 18 weeks of therapy. The risk of serious reactions is greatest during the first 18 weeks of treament. Checks for liver problems should continue regularly during your therapy. Patients with higher liver function tests and patients with hepatitis B or C have a greater chance of liver damage while taking nevirapine. Women and patients with higher CD4 counts (blood counts) seem to have a greater chance of developing liver damage, often accompanied by a rash, while taking nevirapine.

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 such as serious skin reactions or rashes. Your health care professional may also want to check certain things such as your blood levels, your liver functions, and your response to this medicine.

This medicine may decrease the effects of some contraceptives (birth control). To avoid unwanted pregnancy, it is a good idea to use additional contraceptive measures while being treated with nevirapine.