NEVIRAPINE

OTHER NAMES- Viramune

WHY THIS MEDICATION IS GIVEN
Nevirapine is used in the treatment of HIV, the virus responsible for 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 the problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Make sure your doctor knows if you have any of the following medical conditions:

• Alcohol abuse (or a history of), liver disease -Nevirapine may make liver disease worse in patients with liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse
  

• Ketoconazole (Nizoral), rifabutin (Mycobutin), or rifampin (Rifadin) - These medications interfere with the breakdown of indinavir, and therefore you may need a lower dose.
• Astemizole (Hismanal), cisapride (Propulsid), midazolam (Versed), terfenadine (Seldane), or triazolam (Halcion) - Taking indinavir while taking any of these medications may significantly increase your risk of serious or life threatening side effects.
• Birth Control Pills - Nevirapine may cause a decrease in the amount of birth control medication in your body, so you should use additional methods of birth control.

HOW TO TAKE
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Keep taking nevirapine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. To decrease your risk of getting a serious rash when you start taking nevirapine, it is very important that you take it only once daily for the first two weeks of therapy and then increase to twice daily. If you notice any signs of rash, you must tell your doctor and do not increase your dose until the rash goes away. Most people who develop a rash get it within the first six weeks of therapy.

WHERE TO KEEP
Keep it in the bottle it came in and store it in a cool, dry place with the cap tightly closed. Keep the bottle out of reach of children.

IF YOU FORGET
If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. 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.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Nevirapine may cause rash, fever, nausea, or headache. These effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. If they become bothersome, check with your doctor.

If you notice any rash, fever, blisters, mouth sores, eye pain or redness, swelling, muscle or joint aches, or a general feeling of weakness, contact your doctor immediatly. These symptoms are most likely to occur during the first six weeks of therapy.

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