Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Viramune

Generic Name: nevirapine (Pronunciation: ne VYE ra peen)

• What is nevirapine (Viramune)?
• What are the possible side effects of nevirapine (Viramune)?
• What is the most important information I should know about nevirapine (Viramune)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nevirapine (Viramune)?
• How should I take nevirapine (Viramune)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Viramune)?
• What happens if I overdose (Viramune)?
• What should I avoid while taking nevirapine (Viramune)?
• What other drugs will affect nevirapine (Viramune)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is nevirapine (Viramune)?

Nevirapine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Nevirapine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nevirapine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Nevirapine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Viramune 200 mg

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What are the possible side effects of nevirapine (Viramune)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: tired feeling, joint or muscle pain, muscle weakness, skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, mouth sores, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking nevirapine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
• headache, tired feeling; 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)?

Nevirapine can cause severe or life-threatening effects on the liver. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these liver symptoms while taking nevirapine: skin rash, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Nevirapine may also cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions. Contact your doctor if you have any type of skin rash. Even a minor skin rash could be an early sign of a serious reaction. Later signs include fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash. This type of reaction is a medical emergency.

There are many other medicines that can interact with nevirapine, or make it less effective. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.