About nevirapine
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Used for
- Used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection.
Usual adult dose
Immediate-release: 200 mg once daily for 14 days, then 200 mg twice daily with other HIV medicines.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 16 days and older, dosing is based on body surface area or weight; specialist guidance is needed.
Common side effects
- Rash
- Fever
- Nausea
- Abnormal liver tests
Important warnings
- Can cause severe, potentially life-threatening liver injury, especially early in treatment.
- Severe skin reactions, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome, can occur.
- Starting dose is increased gradually to reduce rash risk.
- Do not restart after severe liver or skin reactions without specialist assessment.
Pregnancy
Can be used during pregnancy when indicated; liver monitoring is important, especially when starting treatment.
Breastfeeding
HIV can pass through breast milk; breastfeeding recommendations depend on local guidance and individual circumstances.
Interactions
- Rifampicin and rifabutin can alter nevirapine levels.
- St John’s wort may reduce effectiveness and should be avoided.
- Nevirapine can reduce effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
- Many HIV medicines and other drugs interact; a full medication review is important.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.