Nevirapine (Systemic)
Brand Names : Viramune
Precautions While Using This MedicineDo 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.
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